The New Zealand Association of Musculoskeletal Medicine Incorporated 1980
Vision: Together Relieving the Burden of Musculoskeletal Pain and Disability
President’s Gavel
presented at the NZAMM inaugural conference,
1981 in Rotorua to Dr J G Abercrombie
Objects of the Society:
- to promote the art and science of Musculoskeletal Medicine, improving the management of common musculoskeletal pain conditions in New Zealand Primary Care and the health system.
- to promote education and research into musculoskeletal conditions
- to improve access to services for diverse populations and reduce the burden of pain and disability from musculoskeletal pain conditions
Constitution and Rules of NZAMM Inc.
Initial training and enthusiasm came from courses in musculoskeletal examination and manual treatments. Trainers and Practitioners from Europe were invited to run masterclasses for groups of General Practitioners and Rheumatologists. Seven international speakers ran such courses between 1980 and 1990 and helped set up a training programme for examination and treatment of the spine and peripheral joints. Dr Barrie Tait , Rheumatologist and Pain Medicine Specialist, then provided the energy, vision and leadership that led to the establishment of a University of Otago Postgraduate Diploma in Mucusloskeletal Medicine in 1989. This distance-learning based diploma teaching continues to this day, changing to meet the needs of today’s graduates, and is part of a suite of papers and qualifications in Pain, Pain Management, Musculoskeletal Management and Musculoskeletal Medicine taught to a wide range of health professionals including medical graduates. NZAMM members and fellows teach into these programmes. The on campus courses continue to teach anatomy, biomechanics, examination and treatment of the spine and peripheral joints. Link to further information: https://www.otago.ac.nz/christchurch/departments/orthomsm/postgraduate/
On advice from the medical council, on 4th October 2021 during the AGM, NZAMM was renamed The New Zealand College of Musculoskeletal Medicine (NZCMM) to provide a more consistent naming scheme with other institutions tasked with vocational training.
Now and into the Future:
NZCMM is on a growth and development path to
- grow membership and improve services to members
- train more Musculoskeletal Medicine Specialists/ Fellows
- develop an active academic and research pathway for diploma graduates and Fellows
- train more Specialists/ Fellows in interventional pain management using the Spine Intervention Society’s (SIS) guidelines and Fellows who are accredited SIS trainers.
With an effective, flexible and high quality training programme already, we want to grow the numbers of trainees and the quality of training attachments. We are looking to expand the already wide range of career pathways that provide so much personal satisfaction to our practitioners. Join us ( link to membership NZCMM) to achieve:
- practice of musculoskeletal medicine with confidence an support
- options for academic advancement and research posts in association with a world-recognised university
- the ability to achieve better outcomes for your patients
- the ability to chose flexible pay, hours and conditions including no after hours work
- the ability to regularly augment your practical skills.
- the ability to keep up with cutting edge evidence and practice in musculoskeletal medicine and pain.