Pain and dependence: Better together

Dr Rebecca Lawrence studied medicine at Edinburgh University, graduating MBChB in 1988. She then undertook General Practice training (MRCGP 1996) before commencing training in General Psychiatry in South East Scotland (MRCPsych 2000, CCST with endorsement in addictions 2005).  She has an interest in the history of psychiatry and her MPhil thesis was entitled The Roxburgh, Berwick, and Selkirk District Asylum. A study of patients admitted from 1887 to 1897. She has worked as a consultant psychiatrist in addictions since 2005, firstly in the Scottish Borders, and in Edinburgh and the Lothians since 2006. She is the lead consultant for the specialist in-patient addictions unit in Edinburgh, and works with LEAP (Lothians and Edinburgh Abstinence Programme), as well as having a special interest in pain management through her outpatient work in the Lothian Pain and Dependency Clinic. She is currently undertaking an MSc in Clinical Management of Pain (University of Edinburgh), and is a co-investigator in a multi-site observational study of the side effects of opioids (SEOS). She is active in teaching and training, and is the local teaching lead for addictions for medical students. She is a medical examiner and supervisor for the GMC, and has a particular interest, both personally and professionally, in doctors’ health and supporting doctors in difficulties.