The Austrian Pain Society points out an urgent need for action in pain care in Austria

2024-04-24 05:30:29

Vienna (OTS) – The Austrian Pain Society points out an alarming undersupply of pain treatment, which particularly affects older people in old people’s and nursing homes. A recent review by the Ombudsman confirmed that around 80 percent of residents in nursing and retirement homes suffer from pain without adequate pain relief measures being taken.

Univ.-Prof. Dr Eisner, neurosurgeon and President of the Austrian Pain Society, explains: “It is a structural problem that people have to suffer from pain at the end of their lives. We urgently need a comprehensive rethink and concrete measures to remedy these grievances. It is our ethical duty to take pain seriously and respond appropriately. Pain management must be a priority in medical care and training because every person has the right to a dignified and pain-free final phase of life.” Eisner sees a challenge in the fact that doctors are not always present in homes. “If someone is present every day “The pain and underlying illnesses could be recognized and treated much better,” says Eisner.

Prim. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Rudolf Likar, General Secretary of the Austrian Pain Society, clarifies the demands of the Austrian Pain Society: “We demand more trained staff in old people’s and nursing homes, regular training and education in the area of pain management and a person-independent emergency depot that can be used when there is no doctor is available.”

Differences between the sexes

Furthermore, the need to adapt pain treatment to the specific needs of women and men is emphasized, as there are gender-specific differences in pain perception and processing. “Pain therapy is currently based on studies that use medieval, normal-weight men as test subjects. “But science now knows that women generally perceive pain differently, which is why we need studies with men, women and children,” explains Wilhelm Eisner.

With friendly support from:

B. Braun Austria GmbH, Candoro ethics GmbH, FRESENIUS KABI AUSTRIA GmbH, Gebro Pharma GmbH, Grünenthal Ges. mbH., Pfizer Corporation Austria Gesellschaft mbH, Sanofi-Aventis GmbH, schwa-medico, teva Austria