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Oregon Pain Management Commission to Host Pain Awareness Open House

August 22, 2013

 

August 21, 2013 -- According to a 2011 report from the Institute of Medicine, chronic pain affects at least 100 million American adults and costs up to $635 billion annually.  As a belated tribute to the national celebration of September as Pain Awareness Month, the Oregon Pain Management Commission will be hosting a “Pain Awareness Open House” on Thursday, October 10, 2013. This event will occur in place of the commission’s regular bimonthly meeting.  It will be held from 1 until 4 pm in the Dye House at the Willamette Heritage Center at Mission Mill in Salem, located at 1313 Mill Street NE.  Free parking is available onsite.

 

The event is free and open to the general public.  Both individuals who are affected by chronic pain issues and members of the healthcare community who treat individuals with pain are especially encouraged to attend.  

 

Although no continuing education credits will be offered for the event, participants will have the opportunity to come and dialogue with members of the Oregon Pain Management Commission. The audience will learn about types of healthcare available for pain management as OPMC members introduce themselves and talk about their treatment background.  Teresa Keane, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and OPMC Chairperson, will lead the group in several relaxation exercises. 

 

A highlight of the event will be the opportunity for the audience to ask general questions about pain management and to voluntarily share information about their own pain story.  Attendees may respond to questions such as:  “What are some of the most important lessons that living with chronic pain has taught you?”  “Who has been the biggest influence on you while living with chronic pain?  What lessons did they teach you?”  “What are you most proud of during the period you have lived with chronic pain?” 

 

The agenda for the event will be rotated twice during the afternoon so that individuals who are not able to sit for lengthy periods of time will need only participate in about 90 minutes of the program and still benefit from attendance. 

 

No lunch will be served at the event, but participants may bring a “brown bag” lunch or purchase food at Mission Mill.  (Very light snacks will be available at no charge.)  The chairs in the room are plastic so individuals are invited to bring pillows to make the chairs more comfortable.

 

The mission of the Oregon Pain Management Commission is to improve pain management in Oregon through education and the development of a recommended pain management education program curriculum for healthcare professionals.  The OPMC performs research and policy analysis, works on model projects, and represents concerns of Oregon patients on issues of pain management to the Governor and the Legislative Assembly.

 

If you have questions, please contact me by e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone at 503-373-1605.

 

I look forward to seeing many of you at this worthwhile October event.

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