SPEAKER TALKS

Pain is an unpleasant experience for our patients and has been proven to have detrimental effects to their health not just through times of illness but also long term. As Veterinary Nurse/Technician’s we are an integral part of the identification, treatment and monitoring of pain in our patients, and therefore it is imperative that we understand what pain is, why it is unfavourable and how it can be effectively treated; the type of pain management prescribed is also fundamental. Being able to identify pain is important to ensure we have adequate, individualised pain management plans for our patients that not only alleviate pain and discomfort but also improve their health and wellbeing.

The Veterinary Nurse/Technician should have a thorough understanding of how to identify, prevent and intervene with pain, pain management strategies, and how to monitor the effectiveness of a patients pain management plan. This presentation covers the pain pathway & pathophysiology, it’s benefits and consequences, common pain management strategies, pharmacology and the nursing care approach to patients that are experiencing pain.

This presentation will also touch on the latest pain guidelines and have a focus on both the physiological and psychological experience of pain in the Veterinary patient. Delegates following this presentation will have gained an understanding of pain and its implications, the vital role of the Veterinary Nurse/Technician in the management of patients experiencing pain, how to approach painful patients not just with pharmacology but also environmental adjustments, and when to escalate or de-escalate pain management.