Kolling Institute researchers instrumental in Australian first guidelines
and former Royal North Shore Hospital specialist Professor Michael Cousins AO has been remembered, following his passing recently. Michael was a trailblazer in anaesthesia and pain medicine, and a mentor to many on the RNSH campus. With a career spanning more than 50 years, Michael dedicated his life to helping others through pain management and better care. He changed the way that Australia managed pain believing that access to pain management was a fundamental human right. He instigated change not only in Australia, but on a global scale. Michael designed Australia’s National Pain Strategy, and was a founding member of peak Australian pain advisory bodies and academic faculties. In 1995, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia. Michael was instrumental in the establishment of RNSH’s Pain Clinic and the Kolling Institute’s Pain Management Research Institute (PMRI). This multidisciplinary centre is internationally regarded for its clinical care, teaching and research. In 1998, the institute was recognised as one of only eight national Centres of Clinical Excellence in hospital-based research, and in 2012, it was named the lead site for pain research in the state by the NSW Ministry of Health. Two researchers from the John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research have developed the first clinical practice guidelines for physiotherapists to inform the care of people with life-changing spinal cord injuries. Physiotherapy is a key part of rehabilitation for people with a spinal cord injury, but until now, there has been no nationally consistent advice based on the best available evidence. The guidelines were driven by A/Professor Joanne Glinsky and Professor Lisa Harvey, who worked with a team of physiotherapists, researchers, and people with a spinal cord injury across Australia and New Zealand. Lisa said the recommendations provide up- to-date information on the most effective physiotherapy management. “Importantly, they are based on a rigorous evaluation of the available evidence, taking into account the opinions of clinical experts and people with a spinal cord injury,” she said. “We started the process by identifying over 100 clinical questions of importance to physiotherapists and those living with
Today, it continues to support the community, delivering world leading research and improvements in care. Current PMRI Director Professor Paul Glare said he first met Michael in the early 1990’s and worked alongside him in an academic capacity. “Little did I know at the time that I would replace him as Chair of Pain Medicine and be the beneficiary of the incredible academic legacy he left here in Northern Sydney,” he said. “His passing is an injury, and each question was ultimately answered by way of an evidenced-based recommendation or a consensus statement.” A/Professor Glinsky said we followed a very detailed and rigorous process with many meetings, discussions and reviews of the evidence. “It is this process that should give people confidence in the recommendations of the guidelines,” she said. Lisa added that the work was only possible with the initial financial support from icare in NSW, and the support from organisations throughout Australia including the Transport Accident Commission, the National Insurance Scheme Queensland and the Lifetime Support Authority. “Their support for this important piece of work was critical to our success. We are tremendously grateful they shared our vision to create these first Australian recommendations,” Lisa said. The guidelines can be viewed at www. SCIPTguide.org
VALE PROFESSOR MICHAEL COUSINS AO The remarkable life of pain medicine pioneer
very sad for all of us in the Michael J Cousins’ Pain Management Research Institute. “I would like to recognise his truly incredible efforts to lift standards of care and improve the management of pain across Australia and internationally.”
Professor Michael Cousins AO
WWW.NSLHD.HEALTH.NSW.GOV.AU
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