[Postgraduate education in psychological pain treatment by the German section of the International Association for the Study of Pain.].
Quality assurance with regard to pain treatment is a major concern of the German section of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). For this reason, efforts to reach a consensus on guidelines for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures have been intensified and include educational endeavours as a basis for state-of-the-art practice. The German IASP section has implemented a postgraduate educational programme on pain treatment for psychologists. Objectives are to lay the foundation for a scientifically based assessment and treatment of chronic pain and to enable communication and cooperation among the disciplines. Admission is restricted to psychologists who have already started a course of training in psychotherapy, thus ensuring that sufficient knowledge about behaviour changes will be obtained in addition to the special programme about pain. After completion of the training in psychotherapy, a certificate will be issued if the student fulfils the following requirements: (1) attendance at 150 classes on pain syndromes, their anatomical and physiological basis, and their medical treatment, psychological methods of pain assessment and treatment, and effective ingredients of psychological treatment for pain; (2) experience in the treatment of patients with chronic pain; and (3) submission of 10 reports on assessments and treatments of chronic pain patients under supervision. To ensure training on a regular basis, the educational programme is offered to members of the IASP jointly by the German IASP and the Academy of the German Psychological Association. A sequence of eight modules covering the curriculum is repeated at least every 2 years, thus permitting entry to the programme at any time.
Basler
H D
HD
Institut für Medizinische Psychologie, Philipps Universität, Bunsenstraße 3, D-35037, Marburg.