The European Federation of IASP Chapters (EFIC) was formed by the presidents of the European Chapters at a joint meeting held at the time of the World Congress on Pain, in Paris in August, 1993.

 

These are in general those of IASP, i.e. to promote research, education, and the clinical management of pain.

The specific aim is to create a forum for European collaboration on pain issues and to encourage communication at a European level between IASP Chapters, and also with other bodies interested or involved in the fields of pain research and therapy such as the European societies or federations of medical specialities (anaesthesiology, neurology, headache, palliative care etc.), institutions of the European Community, Europain and national educators and legislators.

Examples of pain issues that may be delt with by EFIC :

	The epidemiology of acute and chronic pain in Europe.
	The availability of pain treatment facilities.
	The interface between patient needs and treatment facilities.
	The recognition of differences in therapeutic strategies and pain education within Europe.
	The harmonisation of such differences.
	Review of existing curricula and plans for training of pain specialists (it might be desirable to develop a European academy to accredit pain specialists, possibly by examination).
	Setting standards for diagnosis and treatment of chronic pains of different types and mechanisms.

 

The affairs of EFIC are conducted by its Council, which consists of the Presidents of the European IASP Chapters, and five elected officers who form the Executive Board.
The Council meets once a year while the Board manages affairs between meetings. EFIC is established as a charitable foundation in Belgium.

EFIC's position in relation to IASP:
The bylaws of the IASP (section V) provide that national Pain Societies and Associations may constitute Chapters of the IASP in their country.

EFIC acts as a European grouping of these, so that they may work together while allowing for the sociocultural diversity of Europe. Many of the societies have a large percentage of members who are not members of IASP; they are, none-the-less, members of EFIC and will benefit from the wider perspectives offered by a transnational organisation.

 

EFIC co-operates in the organisation of Congresses, such as those in Verona, Italy, in May 1995 in Barcelona, Spain, in September 1997, in Nice, France in September 2000, in Prague, Czech Republic in September 2003 and upcoming in Istanbul, Turkey 13-16 September 2006.
It produces an electronic newsletter which is distributed by an email database list to the Chapters and to all their members and is available on the website (see appropriate page) and is involved with the production of the European Journal of Pain (see www.europeanjournalpain.com).

Under its auspices, Task Forces are working on aspects of pain research and management, and their findings will be used to improve education and training throughout Europe .

Further information about EFIC can be requested from the Executive Officer.