As we step into 2024, the European Pain Federation EFIC is as committed as ever to advancing the field of pain education, pain research and pain management.
In 2024, EFIC will be focusing on providing pain education innovative programs designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice such as the next Virtual Pain Education Summit. Collaborating with renowned experts in their field, as well as with allied societies involved in pain management (Headache, Neurostimulation, Anaesthesia, Physical Medicine), EFIC will continue to offer multidisciplinary pain education opportunities via the EFIC Academy, EFIC Pain Exams and EFIC Pain Schools, supplying healthcare providers with the tools to address the complex challenges of pain management. 2024 will also see the launch of workshop and abstract submission for our next biennial congress PAIN IN EUROPE XIV taking place in 2025 in Lyon, France, which will be organised under the theme “Comorbidity of chronic pain and mental health disorders: Breaking the cycle”.
EFIC intends to build on the successful research collaborations of previous years and allocate further resources to support projects in 2024, encouraging cross-disciplinary investigations into the mechanisms, treatments, and impact of pain. By facilitating these collaborations and partnerships, EFIC aims to accelerate the translation of research findings into tangible clinical applications. After kicking off the EFIC Pain Research Strategy in 2023, EFIC is also looking forward to launching the result later this year with the support of the Era-Net European project PRISE on research priorities, involving participants from 23 European countries. The aim of the Strategy is to optimize understanding and management of pain in Europe through high-quality basic, translational and clinical research; the results of this important collaborative task are expected to be available later this year. EFIC is also launching the next cycle of the EFIC-Grünenthal-Grant in early 2024, a prestigious grant program to empower emerging researchers in the field of pain. Recognising the importance of nurturing young talent, the EGG provides invaluable support for innovative projects, paving the way for the next generation of leaders in pain research. EFIC will also be focusing on further enhancing the connection between the European Journal of Pain (EJP) and national pain societies via the translation and inclusion of EJP articles into national pain journals, and by advancing in the harmonisation of pain curricula, establishing bridges between the EFIC diplomas (EDPM, EDPP, EDPN) and national accreditations.
EFIC recognises that effective advocacy is crucial for shaping policies that prioritise pain management and patient care. In 2024, EFIC is poised to intensify its advocacy efforts at both the national and European levels. Whether through the Societal Impact of Pain (SIP) project or our campaigns Plain Talking and On The Move, EFIC will collaborate with policymakers, healthcare organizations, and patient advocacy groups to champion policies that enhance access to comprehensive pain care, reduce disparities, and promote patient-centered approaches and create an active coalition of scientific organisations/medical societies who share the same scientific understanding of pain as a biopsychosocial phenomenon.
Just like in previous years, EFIC will be focusing on its goals in education, research and advocacy by fostering collaboration, innovation, and inclusiveness and therefore driving meaningful change, empowering healthcare professionals, researchers, and advocates alike to make a lasting impact on the landscape of pain management and pain research.
