2022 eTalk #7 - Pain Catastrophising: why does it occur and can you change it?

Overview

This eTalk is a topical and engaging 3-way discussion between Dr Toby Newton-John (Clinical Psychologist) and Specialist Pain Physiotherapists, Michelle Wilson and Tim Austin.

Pain catastrophising has been recognised as a highly relevant cognitive variable for over 20 years and it continues to gain prominence in the literature. Recently, some authors have wanted to ban the word altogether! In this lecture, you will find out why catastrophising is important and learn how to better assess and treat it. There will also be some discussion as to whether we do need to use a different word.

After watching this eTalk, learners should be able to:

Understand the conceptual basis for catastrophising
Measure and more comprehensively assess catastrophic thoughts
Understand key principles in the management of catastrophising

Presenters

A/Prof Toby Newton-John, BA(Hons) MPsychol(Clin) PhD MAPS, is Professor and acting Head of the Graduate School of Health at University of Technology Sydney. He is also a clinical psychologist, and has been involved in the assessment and treatment of chronic pain patients for over 20 years in Australia and the UK. He has published over 85 peer reviewed articles and book chapters on the psychological management of chronic illness, and he currently supervises 6 PhD students in this area. His research has focused on the role of the spouse/partner in adjustment to chronic pain.

Michelle Wilson is a Specialist Pain Physiotherapist (as awarded by Australian College of physiotherapists in 2021). She is the Musculoskeletal Team Leader at the Royal Hobart Hospital and has over 10 years’ experience working in the field of pain both in NSW and Tasmania.

Tim Austin is a Specialist Pain Physiotherapist (as awarded by the College of Physiotherapists in 2021), the first physiotherapist in Australia to achieve this title. Tim completed a Master in Pain with Honours in 2007 and is currently a lecturer on that degree programme through the University of Sydney. He is past Treasurer on the board of the Australian Pain Society and currently National Chair of the Australian Physiotherapy Association Pain Group. Tim has a passion for the application of inter-disciplinary care in primary and secondary care. He is regularly asked to present lectures and workshops on pain and its management.