The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), supported by Zoetis, is set to launch a Certificate in Pain Management.
It will promote the importance of companion animal pain management as a discipline and offer veterinarians and veterinary nurses/technicians a recognized international qualification in the subject for the first time.
Dr Bea Monteiro, Chair of the WSAVA Global Pain Council (GPC), said the Certificate provides recognition to professionals advancing their knowledge on pain management.
“The new WSAVA Certificate in Pain Management will help veterinary professionals to understand the critical importance of pain management for companion animal health and welfare. It will show them how to assess pain using the latest knowledge of pain-related behaviours and validated pain scales.
“Finally, it will guide them in treating pain effectively, using the most appropriate drug and non-drug therapies, based on the availability of particular analgesics and other therapies in the region of the world in which they are in practice.”
Globally relevant and available online for ease of access, the WSAVA Certificate course comprises three modules, with tailored content for veterinarians and veterinary nurses/technicians, covering understanding and assessing pain, preventing and treating pain, and pain management in practice.
Each module contains recorded lectures from members of the GPC and other global experts, together with links to mandatory and suggested reading materials. Quizzes are included at the end of each lecture.
Dr Mike McFarland, Chief Medical Officer at Zoetis, said his personal experience has shown him that pain can affect many areas of a pet’s life, including their sleep, cognitive function, emotional state, and social relationships
“This new WSAVA Certificate in Pain Management represents a significant step forward for veterinary professionals in building awareness of the way in which new solutions to managing pain can improve the quality of life for pets and their owners and protect the precious bond between them.”
The WSAVA Certificate in Pain Management is based on the updated Global Guidelines for the Recognition, Assessment and Treatment of Pain, unveiled by the WSAVA Global Pain Council (GPC) at the end of 2022 and is available free of charge to all companion animal veterinarians and veterinary nurses/technicians.
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