PAIN SPECIALIST INFORMATION FOR REFERRERS
Perth, Western Australia
This practice provides specialist pain medicine interventional procedures, complex pain assessments and second opinions for patients referred by GPs and medical specialists across Perth and Western Australia.
The focus is on diagnostic clarity, appropriate interventional care, functional outcomes, and evidence-based clinical decision-making, particularly in complex and compensable cases.
Dr Tannenbaum treats acute and chronic pain. He has a specific interest in lower back pain. He also treats neck pain, other spinal and musculoskeletal pain conditions, knee and shoulder pain, neuropathic pain, migraine, and complex regional pain syndrome, as well as many other pain conditions.
Dr Tannenbaum currently consults in West Perth, and operates at Waikiki Private Hospital and Aegis Private Hospital, Murdoch.
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Referral to a pain specialist is appropriate when patients present with:
Persistent spinal or musculoskeletal pain despite conservative management
Neuropathic pain
Unclear pain generators or discordant imaging and symptoms
Limited or failed response to previous pain interventions
Consideration of interventional pain procedures
Perioperative pain management in people with complex or chronic pain before or after a proposed surgical procedure
Complex pain with psychosocial or psychiatric overlay
Work-related or compensable pain requiring specialist input
WHEN TO REFER TO A PAIN SPECIALIST
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![Decorative pattern representing interventional pain medicine services, including specialist assessment and evidence-based procedures in Perth.]()
Interventional Pain Medicine
Specialist assessment and provision of evidence-based interventional pain procedures in Perth, following careful diagnostic formulation and patient selection.
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![Decorative pattern representing pain medicine second opinion services for diagnostic clarification and treatment direction.]()
Pain Medicine Second Opinions
Pain medicine second opinions are available for GPs and specialists seeking expert clarification of diagnosis or treatment direction.
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![Decorative pattern representing integrated assessment for complex pain presentations involving pain medicine and psychiatric expertise.]()
Complex Pain & Psychiatric Assessment
(Assessment-Focused) - As a dual-qualified Specialist Pain Medicine Physician and Psychiatrist, Dr Tannenbaum offers integrated assessment for complex pain presentations.
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![Decorative pattern representing workers’ compensation pain assessment and management services in Western Australia.]()
Workers’ Compensation Pain Specialist
Assessment and management of pain in the context of workers’ compensation and compensable injuries in Western Australia.
INTERVENTIONAL PAIN MEDICINE
Specialist assessment and provision of evidence-based interventional pain procedures in Perth, following careful diagnostic formulation and patient selection.
Common Interventional Pain Procedures
Radiofrequency neurotomy (facet joints and peripheral nerves)
Caudal epidural steroid injections
Lumbar nerve root sleeve/transforaminal epidural steroid injections
Medial branch blocks/facet joint injections
Sacroiliac joint injections and radiofrequency neurotomies
Peripheral joint injections
Interventions are delivered as part of a structured pain management plan, integrated with rehabilitation and treating teams.
The decision to undertake procedures is always made in collaboration with patients, following education, careful risk-benefit analysis, and in keeping with current guidelines and evidence.
PAIN MEDICINE SECOND OPINIONS
Pain medicine second opinions are available for GPs and specialists seeking expert clarification of diagnosis or treatment direction.
Second opinion reports provide:
Diagnostic clarification
Evidence-based recommendations
Risk–benefit analysis
Functional and outcome-focused guidance
Comprehensive reports are provided in a timely manner to support ongoing care planning.
COMPLEX PAIN & PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT
Assessment Focused
As a dual-qualified Specialist Pain Medicine Physician and Psychiatrist, Dr Tannenbaum selectively offers assessment for complex pain presentations where psychological or psychiatric factors may contribute to pain, disability, or treatment resistance.
This service is a pain and psychiatric assessment and management plan only (2801 + 291) and does not involve long-term general psychiatric management, due to Dr Tannenbaum’s primary focus on multidisciplinary pain management, as well as interventional pain procedures.
Considered Referrals
Chronic pain with prominent mood, anxiety, trauma, or behavioural features
Diagnostic uncertainty (pain-related distress vs independent psychiatric disorder)
Risk assessment prior to invasive or high-risk pain procedures
Complex cases involving prolonged incapacity or compensation
Shared understanding that this is a once-off complex assessment and management plan
Scope of Assessment
Biopsychosocial diagnostic clarification
Pain-focused psychiatric formulation
Functional and capacity-oriented assessment
Targeted recommendations relevant to pain management and rehabilitation
Recommendations for ongoing psychological and/or psychiatric care are directed to the referrer and other relevant external providers where appropriate.
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION PAIN SPECIALIST
Assessment and management of pain in the context of workers’ compensation and compensable injuries in Western Australia.
Clinical Approach
Diagnosis-driven assessment
Focus on function and work participation
Evidence-based procedural thresholds
Avoidance of unnecessary escalation of care, balanced with the importance of early intervention
Provision of a detailed report
Clear communication is provided to assist treating doctors, rehabilitation teams, insurers and other stakeholders.
WHAT THIS PRACTICE DOES NOT PROVIDE
To support appropriate referral triage and avoid confusion, this practice does not provide:
Long-term opioid prescribing
Primary substance use disorder management
Ongoing psychiatric treatment or psychotherapy
General chronic pain management without prior diagnostic clarification
HOW TO REFER OUR PAIN SPECIALIST CLINIC
Referrers
General Practitioners (GP) and non-GP Medical Specialists
Referral Information
To facilitate efficient triage and assessment, please include:
• Relevant imaging and investigation reports
• Summary of prior treatments and response
• Relevant medical and psychosocial history
• Claim context (if applicable)
• A clear referral question
Referrals may be submitted securely via Healthlink EDI jeremydr or via email:
MS21@perthclinic.com.au OR admin@drjeremytannenbaum.com.au
Unsecure email is not recommended due to security and privacy issues.
DR JEREMY TANNENBAUM
Practice Philosophy
This is a specialist pain medicine practice in Perth focused on:
Diagnostic precision
Multidisciplinary and biopsychosocial pain management
Patient education and self-management principles
Harm minimisation
Appropriate use of evidence-based minimally invasive interventional pain procedures
Functional outcomes
Risk management and evidence-based decision-making
The aim is to support referrers with clear, reasoned opinions and targeted intervention, rather than fragmented or low-value care.