Tuesday, 12th February 2013 at 4.00pm, Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath, Lecture Hall
Veterans and Chronic Pain: Trauma, Injury and Treatment of the Whole Person
A presentation by Dr Jeremy Gauntlett-Gilbert
Who is Dr Jeremy Gauntlett-Gilbert?
Jeremy is a Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist at the Bath Centre for Pain Services, a national specialist centre, and
an honorary lecturer at the University of Bath. His clinical specialism is in the treatment of disabling, complex chronic
pain; his research focuses on the psychological mechanisms behind disability and distress in pain. His interest in
Veterans arose from recognising the frequency that they appear in clinic, and from a background in treating Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder.
What will be presented?
Chronic pain is the most common health complaint of ex-servicemen and women. It can range from long-standing
back pain to phantom limb pain after traumatic amputation. This talk explores why pain is so common, and what
health services should do about this. Chronic pain exists alongside other health conditions, and in the context of
military coping styles. Jeremy will review the latest research on the overlap between chronic pain, physical injury and
post-traumatic stress disorder, and consider how to respond to this. Are NHS services configured for these challenges,
and are NHS staff culturally competent to treat this population? The talk will explore how stigma, or the stereotype of
‘heroes’ affects clinical treatment.
Please email Lisa Buckle, at Pain.Education@rnhrd.nhs.uk if you are interested in attending
