DR BASANTH KENCHAIAH
MBBS, DPM, DNB(PSYCHIATRY), FRANZCP, CERT. ADDICTION PSYCH.
With close to 20 years of experience in psychiatry, encompassing work in both the public and private sectors, Basanth brings a wealth of knowledge to his role at Pain Specialists Australia.
Basanth has a special interest in managing patients with co-occurring substance use and other mental health disorders as well as chronic pain. He is passionate about providing integrated care under one roof to patients with such complex problems. He values input from psychologists and other allied health clinicians and works closely with them. This collective approach has become an essential part of the service Pain Specialists Australia provides and is valued by patients and staff.
Substance use disorders include dependence on prescription medications such as opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines (Diazepam, Alprazolam etc.). The problem of prescription opioid analgesics is now well recognised. Basanth is available to help manage such opioid use disorders. This may require use of opioid pharmacotherapy or substitution therapy with agents such as Buprenorphine, Suboxone or Methadone. Inpatient stays are sometimes required to assist with this process where Basanth will continue to provide input and work closely with our pain specialists.
It is not uncommon to see patients presenting with chronic pain being prescribed numerous medications which have accumulated over time, including multiple antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants. Basanth is passionate about using principles of deprescribing, assisting patients in reducing the number of medications they are on, especially when they might be causing more harm than good. He works closely with other treating specialists in these situations to facilitate any changes.
In addition to working with complex cases, he takes pride in managing individual conditions, whether it is depression, psychosis, or an addiction problem. He also consults at a GP clinic (Thornbury Medical Centre). His capacity to take on new patients in Thornbury is limited but he is happy to see them at Pain Specialists Australia.
Previously, he worked for Melbourne Health for over a decade, including inpatient and community mental health programs. He played an important role in establishing the Consultation Liaison Addiction Service at The Northern Hospital. In his current public appointments, he works at The Alfred and St Vincent’s mental health services. Basanth also holds an appointment as Chair of the Subcommittee for Advanced Training in Addiction Psychiatry, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry.
