Wir überwinden Grenzen

New outpatient treatment program helps combat recurring pain before it becomes chronic / Medical Center - University of Freiburg the only treatment center in southwest Germany / Further project to strengthen telemedical care

Back, head, joints: around 23 million people in Germany suffer from chronic pain, affecting one in four people in their everyday lives. In order to help people with regularly recurring pain before the pain becomes chronic, the Interdisciplinary Pain Center (ISZ) at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg offers a new outpatient therapy. The PAIN2.0 program initiated by the German Pain Society (Deutsche Schmerzgesellschaft e.V.) can also be carried out on a part-time basis. The ISZ is the only center in southwest Germany to offer the program. The treatment is open to all those with statutory health insurance.

"With PAIN2.0, we can help those affected before the pain becomes chronic. This closes an important gap in care," says Dr. Kristin Kieselbach, Medical Director of the Interdisciplinary Pain Center at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. "Until now, patients with recurring pain have far too often only received pain medication and too rarely an interdisciplinary therapy that takes the entire pain into account. Chronic pain is not solely physical, but has a variety of causes and effects in the psychosocial area. Being able to help at an early stage means preventing a lot of suffering," says Kieselbach

Three hours a week to relieve pain

The therapy concept is based on the latest scientific findings on the prevention of chronic pain and combines knowledge transfer and physical exercises. Over the course of ten weeks, patients work closely with pain experts from the fields of medicine, psychology and physiotherapy in three-hour group and individual sessions. "The great thing about the program is that it can take place on an outpatient basis and parallel to regular everyday life," says Kieselbach.

PAIN2.0 is aimed at adults with pain that lasts longer than six weeks or recurs frequently if those affected feel restricted in their lifestyle by this pain. "It is very important to us that patients can immediately apply the newly learned strategies in their everyday lives," emphasizes Kieselbach.

PAIN2.0 is a nationwide scientific care study that is being funded by the Innovation Fund of the Joint Federal Committee with around seven million euros over three years. Once the study has been evaluated, the new treatment program could be transferred to standard care.

Reaching pain patients nationwide via telemedicine

Because not every pain patient can come to Freiburg for treatment, the Interdisciplinary Pain Center is currently testing a fully digital consultation service together with the Institute of General Medicine at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. The telaskoop project aims to establish video consultations between physicians in private practice, patients and the Interdisciplinary Pain Center team in up to 20 rural practices in southern Baden. "We want to enable timely and guideline-compliant care for people with chronic pain disorders through close communication with colleagues in private practice," says ISZ Director Kieselbach. We are currently looking for other physicians in private practice who are interested in cooperating with us.

Further information:

Further information on the Pain2.0 program
Further information on the telaskoop program

Contact:
Dr. Kristin Kieselbach
Medical Director
Interdisciplinary Pain Center
Medical Center - University of Freiburg
Phone: 0761 270-93490
Kristin.kieselbach@uniklinik-freiburg.de