Millicent Spencer
Northern Health’s anaesthetist, Dr Moira Rush is training the future doctors of Fiji to deliver Essential Pain Management (EPM).
EPM is a system for managing pain and for students learning about the system can lead to better assessment and treatment of pain in patients.
Due to the pandemic, many trainee anaesthetists at Fiji National University have been unable to get the necessary clinical experience they require in areas including EPM.
Now that restrictions have been lifted, Dr Rush said it is a great privilege to be back assisting with exam preparation and providing the necessary clinical support so students can graduate.
“This time in Fiji has been everything I’ve hoped for and more; small changes can have a huge impact and, with time, broader systemic changes are possible,” she said.
“If I have encouraged one trainee to think more broadly about access to appropriate pain management for their patients, I will be happy.”
Dr Rush will spend three months in Suva, Labasa and Lautoka.
“I’ve done lots of short trips to this region over the last 10 years, both teaching and working. I’m excited to return now for a longer period of time so I can have a bigger impact,” she said.
Northern Health chief medical officer, Associate Professor Wanda Stelmach said the health service has a long history of altruistic staff who have gone out of their way to support people around the world.
“She’s not only an astute clinician; she’s an amazing person whose enthusiasm to teach and empower really shines,” she said.
“She’s always been a ‘two-way street’ person – she teaches and learns, and then she brings it all back to Northern Health so we can all benefit.”
