The Hellenic Medical Society of Australia (HMSA) recently hosted a medical educational evening for its professional members entitled ‘Brain and Pain’.
Doctors from various specialities as well as general practitioners packed out a function room at the QPO restaurant to be informed on the latest updates on the brain and on the topic of chronic pain management.
HMSA president A/Professor Marinis Pirpiris introduced the evening and welcomed the generous sponsors of the evening Servier Pharmaceuticals and Delphi Bank. MC Dr Arthur Kokkinias (HMSA Secretary) in turn warmly introduced each of the keynote speakers of the evening.
The ‘brain’ part of the evening was presented by Professor Dennis Velakoulis, neuropsychiatrist and director of the Neuropsychiatry Unit at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. He updated the audience on the latest developments of psychiatric presentations of neurological disorders and on genetic and neuroimaging developments. A potpourri of disorders and information was enjoyed by all.
The second speaker Dr Nick Christelis, an anaesthetist and pain management specialist, director of Pain Specialists Australia, gave a presentation on the latest developments on the all important topic of chronic and neuropathic pain management. Chronic pain affects and costs our society billions of dollars annually in health care and in lost productivity. Evidence is scant with regard to best practice and ideal interventions.
An important link between the two talks was the presented research evidence that psychological aspects of pain assessment and pain management are paramount in achieving optimal outcomes.
The presentations were followed by a barrage of questions from the audience highlighting the interest generated by the speakers.
HMSA functions have become famous in the local medical community for their warmth, liveliness and congeniality. Doctor members of a variety of medical interests and backgrounds come together to share their Hellenic heritage in a social and educational setting. While HMSA meetings are a unique opportunity for an exchange of ideas and perspectives between GPs and a variety of specialists which in the medical world is a rarity.
Upcoming public educational events for 2019 will include a heart awareness seminar, an adolescent mental and physical health seminar (to be held at Alphington Grammar School), an HMSA dementia seminar in conjunction with Fronditha Care (to be held at Oakleigh Grammar School) and a paediatric update on basic life support at the Greek Community school in Bentleigh on 18 June.
Doctors who have yet to become members of HMSA are invited to do so at www.hmsa.org.au