Supporting The Future of Pain Outcomes Measurement
Pain outcomes data has played an important role in improving care, demonstrating the value of pain services and strengthening our understanding of pain care across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. As the sector prepares for the planned conclusion of ePPOC, there is a strong shared commitment to ensuring this important work continues.
The Australian Pain Society is working alongside pain services and sector partners to keep services connected, support continuity of outcomes measurement and help coordinate the work already emerging across the pain community.
ePOCC UPDATE OCTOBER 2026
What You Told Us
Thank you to the 85 pain services that responded to our sector survey.
Three messages came through clearly:
- Outcomes measurement matters
Services want to continue collecting patient-reported outcomes after ePPOC ends. - Many services are still working out what comes next
If you don’t yet have a replacement system in place, you’re not alone. - The sector needs to move together
A coordinated approach will help protect years of valuable outcomes data and reduce the risk of services moving toward incompatible systems.
What We’re Doing
Now
Providing interim data collection options to help services continue collecting outcomes without a gap.
Next
Bringing the sector together through the Pain Outcomes Data 2.0 Summit, led by the Australian Pain Society at the APS Annual Scientific Meeting on the Gold Coast, to help shape a shared national approach.
What You Can Do Now
Review the interim data collection options below
Check the licensing requirements for the instruments you use
Register for updates as this work progresses
Interim Data Collection Options
To support services during the transition from ePPOC, APS is making interim data collection options available.
REDCap Templates
REDCap templates are available for services wishing to continue collecting outcomes data using their own REDCap environment.
Download the available templates below:
These files can be imported into your organisation’s REDCap system using the accompanying instructions.
Microsoft Forms (Customer Voice)
In development: A manual on setting up the questionnaires from scratch, along with information addressing some of the common hurdles
Permissions for ePPOC measures
Some of the instruments used within ePPOC require permission for use.
Services wishing to continue using the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ), Pain Catastrophising Scale (PCS) or Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) should apply for permission through the MAPI ePROVIDE platform.
To help services navigate this process, we’ve provided practical guidance outlining the application steps for these measures.
Download the MAPI ePROVIDE guide for BPI, PSEQ and PCS
For paediatric services, permission should also be sought for the Functional Disability Inventory (FDI).
What Happens Next
The interim options above are intended to help services maintain continuity while the sector works toward a longer-term approach.
The next major step will be the Pain Outcomes Data 2.0 Summit, led by the Australian Pain Society and held as part of the APS Annual Scientific Meeting on the Gold Coast.
The summit will bring the sector together to explore what a coordinated national approach to pain outcomes data could look like, including how services can contribute to the next phase of this work and the potential formation of a national working group.
We will share further information as planning progresses.
Stay Connected
We’ll continue to update this page as new information, resources and opportunities to participate become available. Register for updates to receive the latest information directly, or contact us if you have a question about the transition from ePPOC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is happening with ePPOC?
ePPOC is currently planned to conclude on 31st October, 2026. Services which have current service agreements with ePPOC will have been contacted by Dr David Holloway, Director of ePPOC about the planned decommissioning and plans for access to epiCentre, service level data and reporting. Services are strongly encouraged to contact ePPOC directly for guidance about specific questions at eppoc-uow@uow.edu.au
What is the Australian Pain Society doing?
The Australian Pain Society, together with our pain sector partners, is working to support services through this transition and maintain momentum around outcomes measurement. Our partners include representatives from the New Zealand Pain Society, Faculty of Pain Medicine (ANZCA), Chronic Pain Australia, Painaustralia and the Australian Pain Solutions Research Alliance.
This includes providing interim data collection options, sharing practical licensing guidance, and leading the upcoming Pain Outcomes Data 2.0 Summit at the APS Annual Scientific Meeting on the Gold Coast.
Is APS replacing ePPOC?
No. APS is helping connect and coordinate the sector, support practical interim work and bring together the people and expertise needed to inform future directions.
What interim options are available?
APS is making practical interim options available to help services continue collecting outcomes data while broader sector work progresses.
These currently include REDCap templates that services can import into their own REDCap environment, with a Microsoft Forms / Patient Voice option also being developed.
Services should also review the licensing requirements for any copyright-protected instruments they intend to continue using.
Will APS hold service data?
The interim approach currently being explored is based on service-level REDCap accounts, with services maintaining access to and control of their own data. Services should review all communications from ePPOC regarding the decommissioning and next steps for data and platform access. APS is not proposing to centrally aggregate service data through the interim bridge.
How can our service stay involved?
Register for updates to stay informed as this work progresses.
There will also be opportunities for services to contribute to the next phase of planning through the Pain Outcomes Data 2.0 Summit and potential future national working group.
