On Friday, 24 May 2024, the kick-off event of the project "Pain in the Ems-Dollart Region" took place - supported by the Interreg VI programme Germany-Nederland.
A group of experts from the fields of anaesthesiology, psychology, physiotherapy, public relations and patient associations met in Papenburg to take part in this project. They want to show that there is a great need for a comprehensive prevention campaign, as effective pain prevention often requires a multidisciplinary approach (several disciplines working in parallel on a common topic). This cross-border initiative is aimed at the Dutch provinces of Friesland, Groningen, Drenthe and the German Federal State of Lower Saxony.
In the first part of the event, Prof. Dr Kathrin Boerner, Professor of Prevention and Rehabilitation Research at the Department of Health Services Research at School V - School of Medicine and Health Sciences, emphasised the importance of cross-border research and networking with the aim of effectively addressing the particular challenges of healthcare in the north-western border region. Prof. Dr André Wolff, Professor of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG) and Medical Director of the UMCG Pain Center, emphasised that although many patients no longer have any visible physical damage, pain is still real and improvements are possible through a biopsychosocial approach.
The campaign is a four-year project to raise awareness of chronic pain among the population and show them how they themselves can contribute to prevention. For example, it is about keeping active, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and using medication correctly. In the afternoon, participants were able to discuss the prevention campaign and professional pain education in parallel sessions.
Anyone interested in the "Pain in the Ems-Dollart region" project is welcome to register by email (in German):
Contact: