Both ethical, medical, economical and legal reasons provide grounds for proper treatment of pain. Increasing information is available on the mechanisms of pain and on treatment options. Proper treatment of pain can be considered as a basic right of all citizens. The medication, treatment methods and expertise needed for good pain treatment are available in Finland. However, treatment of pain in our country is currently variable and its resources are poor.

Finnish Association for the Study of Pain was founded in 1996 as a multi-professional organization aiming to promote multidisciplinary research and treatment of pain in Finland. Its purpose is to increase general awareness and improve attitude to legitimate diseases associated with pain in our country. An important goal for the association is to improve training and working conditions of professionals working with pain patients.

The membership of the association was more than 1150 at the end of the year 2009. It includes nurses, physical therapists, physicians, dentists, psychologists, social workers and other professionals.

The association organizes a two-day educational event for the members and those interested in the field each spring in conjunction with the annual meeting. Its program conforms to the principle of multi-disciplinarity. Each fall we organize an educational course on treatment of Acute pain and Cancer pain. The association is involved in planning and organizing local and nation-wide training activities with other organizations, such as associations of various medical specialties, health care districts etc.

Due to the action by the association, a qualified certification of pain treatment has become available for pursuit for physicians and dentists in Finland. Likewise, specializing training programs in pain treatment for nurses and psychologists have been initiated. Similar programs for physical therapists and practical nurses (assistant nurses) are under preparation.

The association has contacted decicion makers of health care field, insurance doctors and politicians to increase resources allocated for pain treatment and to improve implementation of pain patients´ rights.

Each year the Finnish Association for the Study of Pain grants scholarships for pain research and awards clinicians distinguished in the field. The association publishes membership circulars and the journal Kipuviesti (Pain Message) twice a year. The association has published clinical guidelines and we maintain a web-site. The association has firm connections with IASP (International Association for the Study of Pain), EFIC (European Federation IASP Chapters) and SASP (Scandinavian Association for the Study of Pain).

sihteeri@suomenkivuntutkimusyhdistys.fi