Chronic pain in the German-Dutch border region: a shared challenge

Many people around the world suffer from chronic pain. This widespread condition not only places a burden on those affected, but also poses a significant challenge to the healthcare system. In the border region between Germany and the Netherlands – specifically in the Ems-Dollart region – many people also suffer from chronic pain, and studies show that the current level of care is inadequate and that cooperation between German and Dutch healthcare professionals in the field of pain management needs to be improved.

Our approaches: education and cross-border cooperation
The project, funded by the Interreg VI Germany-Netherlands Programme, has two key objectives:

1. Prevention through education:
   A campaign informs the public about how to manage pain effectively, the influence of lifestyle factors and the responsible use of medication. The aim is to prevent chronic pain at an early stage and to raise awareness of effective treatment options.
2. Strengthening cross-border care:
   Close cooperation between German and Dutch healthcare professionals is intended to improve communication, harmonise treatment standards and promote the exchange of knowledge. This will enable better care, tailored to patients’ needs, throughout the entire border region.

Further information on the xPEDition Pain project can be found here.