The Societal Impact of Pain Newsletter 03

Dear Reader,

We hope you are well as we approach the final months of 2023! The past few months have been full of insightful and exciting activities for the Societal Impact of Pain (SIP).

With regards to the European Health Data Space (EHDS), SIP has been engaging with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to ensure that the joint report of the European Parliament Liberties and Environmental Committees (LIBE and ENVI) considered the needs of the pain community. Furthermore, SIP launched a Position Paper on ICD-11, which clearly outlined the benefits of using the coding system, and why it presents a major development in the field of pain management and treatment. Find out more about the position paper here.

Following the launch of the European Commission European Mental Health Strategy, SIP published its Joint Statement on Pain and Mental Health. You can read the full Statement here. Following this, on Tuesday 10 October 2023, SIP held a European Parliament event entitled, “Pain and Mental Health: A Societal Impact of Pain (SIP) Event”, where experts were invited to share their insights at a panel discussion, hosted by MEP Marianne Vind and MEP Tomislav Sokol and attended by representatives from Pain Alliance Europe, the European Psychiatric Association, the European Federation of Neurological Associations, the Europe Region World Physiotherapy, the European Cancer Organization and the Global Alliance of Mental Health Illness Advocacy Networks. The event was a great success, with a full room of attendants. A number of world-class experts explored the close relationship between pain and mental health, the quality of and access to safe pain management, the link between pain, mental health, and employment, and how can all be integrated into mental health policies. Additionally, different EU Stakeholders shed light on topics such as inclusion, inequalities, stigma, mental health and physical activity, and mental health in minority groups. You can find out more about this event here. Further, SIP successfully included and inspire multiple Amendments within the Mental Health Draft Report by the SANT Committee, the newly appointment sub-committee on health at the European Parliament. We are confident the numerous Amendments will make it to the final vote.

On Thursday, 21^st September 2023, SIP presented a demonstration workshop at the #EFIC2023 Congress in Budapest (20-22 September 2023) entitled ‘The Importance of Implementing ICD-11 in Pain Management and Treatment: A Practical Guide’. The workshop introduced SIP, outlined the ICD-11 pain revisions, and gave a clinical real-world example of its implementation. The attendees lived diagnosed four patient case studies and learned how to use the ICD-11 coding tool.

Additionally, SIP National Platforms had the opportunity to meet on-site during the #EFIC2023 Congress in Budapest. During the meeting, participants had the opportunity to discuss important topics such as the status, needs, challenges, and milestones of their National Platforms, share updates on 2023 activities and explore SIP Europe’s engagement with National Platforms over the past year and beyond. Find out more about the on-site meeting here.

Including the SIP workshop, there were fourteen patient-focused sessions at the #EFIC2023 Congress. Pain Alliance Europe (PAE) President, Deirdre Ryan, and Treasurer Nadia Malliou presented five, and participated in several in-person meetings with project partners. You will find more information about these activities here. In support of the SIP European Parliament Event on World Mental Health Day  PAE Treasurer Nadia Malliou shared her lived experience as a pain patient in an article that outlines the complex relationship between pain and mental health. Read the full article here.

SIP welcomes Luis García-Larrea as the new President of the European Pain Federation EFIC, and wishes him all the best in the upcoming years. Read Luis’ vision for his term as President of the European Pain Federation EFIC in his letter here. SIP also thanks Prof. Brona Fullen, for all her work, dedication and support to EFIC and SIP throughout her mandate. Read Brona’s letter, where she reflects back on her three years as President of the European Pain Federation EFIC here.

Finally, we would like to express our gratitude for your unfailing support and we encourage you to follow us on our social media channels in order to be kept informed of all our activities and news!

Best regards,

Ángela Cano Palomares, Societal Impact of Pain (SIP), on behalf of,

Dr Luis García-Larrea, President of European Pain Federation (EFIC)
Ms Deirdre Ryan, President of Pain Alliance Europe (PAE)

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