Chronic pain has a huge impact in the Ems-Dollard-Region and leads to a significant reduction in citizens’ perceived health and quality of life, as well as economic consequences and absenteeism. A recent study conducted by us on the German and Dutch sides of the Ems-Dollard-Region revealed insufficient quality of care and no cooperation between and within the German and Dutch sides on pain care. There are clear starting points for an effective prevention strategy. The common goal of this consortium is to reduce the impact of chronic pain in the Ems-Dollard Region through effective prevention and treatment.
We will carry out this project with and for citizens, patients and professionals in the region. We want to take structural steps in promoting pain-health in the region. We will do this through a number of substantive activities: 1. In this project, we will set up a prevention campaign among the general public to create awareness and teach citizens how to deal with pain properly, how lifestyle affects pain and how to deal with medication (e.g. addictive opiates or anti-inflammatories). We will also address specific groups, namely sports clubs, companies with heavy physical work, and children. 2. Joint educational programmes will be set up for pain professionals in primary and secondary care to learn from each other and share best practices on both sides of the border. 3. We will establish a care pathway to ensure the best treatment for patients on both sides of the border.
