WSAVA launches pain management scholarships
Dr Duncan Lascelles, chair of the GPC
As the first step in its programme, the Global Pain Council (GPC) has launched a scholarship competition to identify one veterinary surgeon and one veterinary nurse with a demonstrated interest in pain management and the potential to become its first global key opinion leaders.
The GPC is working to enhance companion animal health care and welfare globally through increasing the confidence and competence of vets and vet nurses around the world in managing the pain suffered by their patients. Its guidelines are the WSAVA’s most frequently accessed free resources for veterinary professionals.
In Phase One of the GPC Scholarship, the selected candidates will travel to a host location to receive eight to 12 weeks of training in small animal pain management from members of the GPC, focused on:
pathophysiology of pain
assessment of acute and chronic pain in dogs and cats
treatment of acute and chronic pain in dogs and cats
understanding how to approach clinical pain research.
In Phase Two, the candidates will return to their country and run courses on pain management for local vets snd nurses and their WSAVA member association’s members. Their certificate of completion will be awarded on the successful completion of both phases of the Scholarship.
Commenting on the launch of the GPC’s Teach the Teachers program, Dr Duncan Lascelles, chair of the GPC, said: “All companion animals are sentient so feel pain and this is what makes pain management such an important issue for veterinary professionals. We are working to reduce the variation in the assessment and management of pain around the world through the creation of regionally specific resources and targeted education.
“Our ‘Teach the Teachers’ programme is an exciting initiative that we hope will lay the foundations of a global network of veterinarians and veterinary technicians/nurses with specific expertise in pain management and the passion and knowledge to educate their colleagues.”
Full details of the application and selection process for the GPC Scholarship are available on the WSAVA website. The deadline for applications from vets is 31 December 2019; and 30 June 2020 for applications from veterinary nurses. Priority will be given to candidates from WSAVA Tier 1 and Tier 2 countries and to members of WSAVA member associations.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.
