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EFORT, Grünenthal launch awareness campaign to address postoperative pain
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VIENNA — Strong evidence has demonstrated that postoperative pain control after trauma and orthopaedic surgery improves outcomes. EFORT, in discussion with Grünenthal, mutually agreed on the importance of postoperative pain management (POPM). As a result, EFORT and Grünenthal have entered into a partnership on POPM within the orthopaedic and trauma community, building on an existing campaign called CHANGE PAIN that Grünenthal already supports.
“The evaluation of pain and its treatment is fundamental in daily practice,” Enric Caceres Palou, MD, PhD, FRC, EFORT immediate past president and chair of the Autonomous University of Barcelona, said. “The orthopaedic surgeon plays a major role in this topic. CHANGE PAIN aims to understand the needs of patients and develops solutions to improve the management of pain. The final objective will be to increase knowledge and create a platform for excellent clinical practice.”
The main objectives of the CHANGE PAIN awareness campaign are to generate a better understanding of the physician’s perspective of post-operative pain management, increase communication on the topic among EFORT members, publish the results of research projects on the topic and communicate findings scientifically in the media.
According to Caceres, it is well known that post-operative pain control influences surgical outcomes, including healing, possibility for mobilization, functional restoration and reintegration into the workforce. In a follow-up to a study published in 2010, Caceres found the results of spine surgery improved for patients with good control of postoperative pain.
Orthopaedic surgeons are instrumental in controlling postoperative pain as they have the most contact with the patient, he said. They oversee the surgery and the patient’s recovery on the ward. “Although the close collaboration between professionals dedicated to the treatment of pain, including anesthesiologists and pain clinic physicians, is fundamental, we must raise awareness among surgeons and involve them in the decision making of their patients on an issue as important as postoperative pain control,” Caceres said.
Through the joint partnership and alongside the existing CHANGE PAIN awareness campaign, EFORT and Grünenthal hope to increase knowledge, communicate best practices and position EFORT as the best-practice expert in the field. “The campaign’s function will be to recognize the experts in this field, listen to their opinions and disseminate the teachings that can improve daily clinical practice and the health of our patients in post-operative pain control,” Caceres said.
As part of a strategic plan outlined a year ago, EFORT also plans to develop guidelines for post-operative pain control, Caceres said.
The campaign will be visible on the EFORT website and through e-learning. A series of 12 stories planned for publication in Orthopaedics Today Europe will also address major issues around post-operative pain management as part of the campaign.
Grünenthal is also sponsoring a satellite symposium during the EFORT Congress titled, “The Importance of Postoperative Pain Management after Sports Injuries,” on 1 June 2017, from 13:15 to 14:45.
Caceres is hopeful the campaign will be successful in effectively communicating to EFORT members and increasing knowledge on the topic among the orthopaedic community. However, “the main goal is to decrease postoperative pain in patients,” he said.
Disclosure: Caceres reports no relevant financial disclosures.