American Pain Society Launches Clinical Centers Of Excellence In Pain Management

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American Pain Society Launches Clinical Centers Of Excellence In

Pain Management Awards Program

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=56783

The American Pain Society (APS) will honor the country's outstanding

pain care programs by naming Clinical Centers of Excellence in Pain

Management, the organization announced today. It is estimated that

50 million Americans have chronic pain and nearly 25 million

experience acute pain every year from trauma, injury or following

surgery.

The Clinical Centers of Excellence in Pain Management Awards Program

seeks to honor forward-thinking teams of healthcare professionals

who are addressing the critical needs in pain management on the

local level.

" To be consistently effective and successful, a comprehensive, high

quality pain management program requires the expertise of a diverse

team of health care professionals who understand the complex mix of

clinical, psychological, social and emotional variables that affect

pain patients, " said APS President Judith Paice, RN, PhD, director,

cancer pain program, Northwestern University Feinberg School of

Medicine. " These awards will recognize pain-care teams that overcome

difficult challenges to provide outstanding, exemplary care for

those with chronic pain disorders, acute pain after surgery or

trauma and in palliative care settings for pain from cancer and

other terminal conditions. "

APS initiated the Clinical Centers of Excellence in Pain Management

Awards Program to help advance the quality of pain management in the

United States by recognizing and rewarding excellence in quality

clinical care. Any U.S.-based clinical program that provides direct

patient care and is primarily focused on the treatment of pain is

eligible to apply. Nominations will be accepted through January 19,

2007, and winners will be announced by the end of the first quarter

of 2007.

The APS will present this prestigious recognition both locally and

at personal recognition events during the Society's Annual

Scientific meeting in Washington, D.C. from May 2 - 5, 2007.

About Pain

Pain is the leading public health problem in this country and the

most common symptom that leads to medical care. For the more than 45

million people undergoing inpatient surgeries and other invasive

procedures, acute pain is a common outcome, and studies indicate

inadequate management persists. Chronic pain results in more than 50

million lost workdays each year. The cost of pain, including medical

bills and lost workdays, is estimated at $100 billion per year in

the U.S. Back pain alone produces chronic disability in 1 percent of

the U.S. population and is the leading cause of disability in

Americans under 45 years old. As our population ages, the already

significant problem of pain in the elderly will increase.

Headache and lower back pain are the most common types of pain in

the United States. Pain is also a common symptom in many diseases

such as diabetes and cancer. In fact, an estimated 7 in 10 cancer

patients experience significant pain during their illness, yet fewer

than half receive adequate treatment for their pain.

Interestingly, pain is often accepted as a part of life, despite the

profound effects it has on people. One in three people suffering

from pain has had to make major adjustments in their day-to-day

activities, such as taking disability leave, changing jobs, or

moving to a home that is easier to manage. Even so, 80 percent of

Americans believe that pain is a normal part of their medical

condition and something with which they must live.

About the American Pain Society

Based in Glenview, Ill., the American Pain Society (APS) is a

multidisciplinary community that brings together a diverse group of

scientists, clinicians and other professionals to increase the

knowledge of pain and transform public policy and clinical practice

to reduce pain-related suffering.

APS was founded in 1978 with 510 charter members. From the outset,

the group was conceived as a multidisciplinary organization. Since

its early days, APS has enjoyed solid growth and today has

approximately 3,200 members. The Board of Directors includes

physicians, nurses, psychologists, basic scientists, pharmacists,

policy analysts and more.

The establishment of the Clinical Centers of Excellence in Pain

Management Awards Program has been made possible through the

generous support of Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc., a fully integrated

specialty pharmaceutical company with market leadership in pain

management.

American Pain Society (APS)

http://www.ampainsoc.org/