In September 2025, European Pain Federation EFIC conducted Part 2 of the Exams for the European Diploma in Pain Medicine (EDPM), the European Diploma in Pain Physiotherapy (EDPP) in Ghent, Belgium, as well as the European Diploma in Pain Nursing (EDPN) in Salzburg, Austria. The event marked a key milestone for healthcare professionals pursuing a specialisation in pain management, physiotherapy and pain nursing.
The exams took place over 3 intensive days, featuring structured clinical assessments and objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs). The EDPM Part 2 assessed candidates’ clinical reasoning, patient management, and diagnostic skills, while the EDPP and EDPN Part 2 covered clinical skills and patient case discussions in relation to pain physiotherapy and pain nursing. The examination panels consisted of leading experts from across Europe, ensuring standardised evaluations.
Candidates came from various countries, reflecting the growing international recognition of the diplomas. The event was well-received, with participants praising the organisation, the depth of the cases presented, and the opportunity to demonstrate their clinical expertise in a real-world setting. EFIC is delighted to announce 28 new EDPM, 5 new EDPP and 14 EDPN diplomates, with Michael Suppanz winning the Louis Gifford Prize, Ivan Sunara winning the Ulf Lindblom Prize and Daniel Schümann winning the Laserina O’Connor Prize as the highest scoring participants in the EDPP, EDPM and EDPN exam respectively.
Michael Suppanz on winning the Louis Gifford Prize: “As a physiotherapist in my own practice and as the head of the undergraduate physiotherapy program at the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (Austria), preparing for the EDPP was a great challenge which really upskilled my painphysiotherapy skills. It needs some self-discipline and good time management for the self-directed learning platform to pass Part 1 of the exam. Part 2 combines your knowledge with your practical skills and experience. In total the efforts were really worthy from a personal and profession-specific perspective. The EDPP together with the EFIC Core Pain Curriculum for pre-registration physiotherapy programs offers the great chance to implement and increase painphysiotherapy standards for our profession all over Europe. I am very honored and grateful to get the Louis Gifford Prize and want to recommend this journey to every colleague.”
Ivan Sunara on winning the Ulf Lindblom Prize: “It is a great honour to have passed the European Diploma in Pain Medicine (EDPM) and to become part of the European knowledge community in Pain Medicine. The EFIC website is thoughtfully designed, providing access to high-quality learning resources from global experts to support exam preparation. The exam is challenging, but this is what motivates you to put in the effort and gain a deep understanding of various pain conditions. It is truly rewarding to acquire such high-level knowledge that can directly improve patient care. I genuinely did not expect to receive the Ulf Lindblom Prize for the best score, and this recognition means a great deal to me. What makes it even more meaningful is that Professor Ulf Lindblom worked at the same hospital where I am currently based – Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden.”
Daniel Schümann on winning the Laserina O’Connor Prize: “The journey to the European Diploma in Pain Nursing was shaped by collaboration, mutual support, and shared dedication to improving pain care. While I am honoured to receive the Laserina O’Connor Prize, this achievement reflects the collective effort of all participants – each of whom brought valuable insights, clinical experience, and compassion to the learning process. The European Pain Federation fosters this spirit of professional growth and international exchange, making the EDPN not just an exam, but a platform for building a stronger, more connected pain nursing community.”
The success of the exams reinforces EFIC’s commitment to advancing pain education and upholding high standards in pain care across Europe. The next round of the EDPM and EDPP Part 1 exams will take place on 14 November 2025 virtually. Find out more and register before 14 October 2025 here:
