Activities
Currently we would like to promote research in the field of pain therapy through the following activities and support the exchange of scientific knowledge and practical experience in the field of clinical work, as well as teaching and further training, especially throughout Switzerland.
Publications
The book on the history and activities of the “Swiss Pain Society (SPS)” (formerly “Swiss Association for the Study of Pain (SGSS/SSED)”). Here to download as PDF.
The book of the EFIC (European Pain Federation) can be downloaded here
SPS is a national chapter of the EFIC. See https://europeanpainfederation.eu/organisation/national-chapters-of-efic/
A summary of the SIP 2012 Symposium can be downloaded here.
IASP Global Years
2022
The IASP dedicates 2022 to the “Global Year for Translating Pain Knowledge to Practice”
Direct link to the IASP website
(Here you will find all important information on the current topic)
Webinar Series 2022
(Free webinars on the current topic)
Statements of support for 2022
The following companies support our campaign this year by acknowledging the importance of this issue.
2021
The IASP dedicates 2021 to the “Global Year About Back Pain”
Direct link to the IASP website
(Here you will find all important information on the current topic)
Webinar Series 2021
(Free webinars on the current topic)
2020
The IASP dedicates 2020 to the “Global Year for the Prevention of Pain”
Direct link to the IASP website
(Here you will find all important information on the current topic)
Webinar Series 2020
(Free webinars on the current topic)
Statements of support for 2020
The following companies support our campaign this year by acknowledging the importance of this issue.
2019
The IASP dedicates 2020 to the “Global Year Against Pain in the Most Vulnerable”
Direct link to the IASP website
(Here you will find all important information on the current topic)
Factsheets in German
(Translation of the three German-speaking pain societies, including the SGSS)
Webinar Series 2019
(Free webinars on the current topic)
SGSS participation in the Global Year
=> Join our SGSS Annual Congress 2019 – Sunday, 16 June 2019, Education Day of the 12th International Symposium on Pediatric Pain in Children (see www.ispp2019.org)
Statements of support for 2019
The following companies support our campaign this year by acknowledging the importance of this issue.
2018
The IASP dedicates 2018 to the “Global Year for excellence in pain education”
Direct link to the IASP website
(Here you can find all important information about the Global Year)
Webinar Series 2018
(Free webinars on the topic)
2017
The IASP dedicates 2017 to the “Global year against pain after surgery”
Direct link to the IASP website
(Here you can find all important information about the Global Year)
Factsheets in German
(Translation of the three German-speaking pain societies, including the SGSS)
FAQs 2017
(Frequently asked questions on this topic)
Statements of support for 2017
The following companies support our campaign this year by acknowledging the importance of this issue.
BAG Bundesamt für Gesundheit (Federal Office of Public Health)
2016
The IASP dedicates 2016 to the “Global Year Against Pain in the Joints”
Direct link to the IASP website
(Here you can find all important information about the Global Year)
Factsheets in German
(Translation of the three German-speaking pain societies, including the SGSS)
Statements of support for 2016
The following companies support our campaign this year by acknowledging the importance of this issue.
BAG Bundesamt für Gesundheit (Federal Office of Public Health)
Press releases | Articles in scientific journals
2022
The GLA:D® Switzerland Annual Report 2021 presents the results achieved by the more than 2,000 participants with hip and knee osteoarthritis who have completed the GLA:D® Osteoarthritis Program since 2019, namely the reduction of pain and improvement in movement function and quality of life.
Various articles in the first issue of «Leben mit Schmerz» (July 2022)
by PD Dr. Konrad Maurer, Prof. Dr. Andreas Gantenbein, Dr. André Ljutow, Dr. Susanne Hartmann-Fussenegger
Article in the «Schweizerische Ärztezeitung» (Feb. 2022)
about the ICD-11
by Dr. Konrad Maurer
2020
Article in the «Schweizerische Ärztezeitung» (Aug. 2020)
about our 30th anniversary and the ICD-11
by Dr. Konrad Maurer
Joint press release of the German-speaking pain societies on the introduction of the new, internationally binding diagnostic code ICD-11
IASP press release (June 2019)
(here you can find the translation)
Press release of the German-speaking pain societies (Feb. 2020)
Article in “The Informed Physician” by two of our members Dr. Antje Heck and Prof. Eli Alon on the topic “Use of opioids from the point of view of pain specialists
Part One
Part Two
2019
Article in the NZZ by our president, Dr. Konrad Maurer, on the subject
“Cannabis als Schmerzmittel – ein Mythos” (“Cannabis as a painkiller – a myth”)
Original article in NZZ
Text of the article on SGSS stationery
2016
Press Release on EFIC Grunenthal Grant
Media advisory EFIC Societal Impact of Pain 2016
2015
Presentation of the recognition award of the Dr. Margit Egnér Foundation to Prof. Eli Alon
2008
“European Week against Pain” Press Conference Agenda
“European Week against Pain” Press Conference Invitation
2005
SGSS interpellation and federal response
Petition for a European recognition of Fibromyalgia disease
Scientific journals
The SPS provides its members with one subscription each to the following 2 scientific journals.
Der Schmerz (in German)
«Der Schmerz» (The Pain) is an internationally renowned publication and is aimed at doctors of all specialties as well as general practitioners and psychologists involved in the treatment of pain patients or in pain research. The aim of the journal is to improve the long-term care of pain patients. Anyone who receives a journal that their specialty society publishes with us can access it, including the associated CME courses, online.
Link to Springer-Verlag.
Douleur et Analgésie (in French)
«Douleur et Analgésie» was founded in 1988 and is the first international French-language journal devoted to the subject of pain.
This quarterly magazine was immediately well received by researchers and clinicians specialising in this field, thanks to its scientific quality and independence. Since 2006, the editorial team has been seeking to be more open to the French-speaking world, including North America, in order to improve the exchange of knowledge and to enhance the scientific value of the journal.
Link to Lavoisier-publishing house.
President's Corner
In the journal «Der Schmerz» information from the President is regularly published under the topic «President’s Corner». The reports are written in German.
2022
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, April 2022
Download als PDF | 2/22
2021
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, October 2021
Download als PDF | 5/21
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, August 2021
Download als PDF | 4/21
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, April 2021
Download als PDF | 2/21
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, February 2021
Download als PDF | 1/21
2019
Report on the SGSS Pain Course 2019
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, April 2019
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, February 2019
Download as PDF
2018
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, October 2018
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, August 2018
Download as PDF
2017
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, December 2017
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, October 2017
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, August 2017
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, June 2017
Download as PDF
2016
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, August 2016
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, January 2016
Download as PDF
2015
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, August 2015
Download as PDF (SPS (pain course 2015)
Download as PDF (Annual report of the president)
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, Januar y2015
Download as PDF
2014
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, October 2014
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, August 2014
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, June 2014
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, February 2014
Download as PDF
2013
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, December 2013
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, October 2013
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, August 2013
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, February 2013
Download as PDF
2012
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, October 2012
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, July 2012
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, February 2012
Download as PDF
2011
“«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, October 2011
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, August 2011
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s corner, June 2011
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, February 2011
Download as PDF
2010
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, September 2010
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, July 2010
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, May 2010
Download as PDF
2009
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, December 2009
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, September 2009
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s Corner, June 2009
Download as PDF
2008
«Der Schmerz» President’s corner, December 2008
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s corner, August 2008
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s corner, June 2008
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s corner, January 2008
Download as PDF
2007
«Der Schmerz» President’s corner, September 2007
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s corner, June 2007
Download as PDF
«Der Schmerz» President’s corner, February 2007
Download as PDF
2006
«Der Schmerz» President’s corner, December 2006
Download as PDF
Frequently asked questions
How many people in Switzerland suffer from chronic pain?
A Europe-wide study by Breivik in 2006 showed that 16% of the resident population in Switzerland is described as “affected by chronic pain.”
See: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16095934/
or https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7664400_Survey_of_Chronic_Pain_in_Europe_Prevalence_Impact_on_Daily_Life_and_Treatment
Pain recording tools
The NRS Numerical Rating Scale is standard in pain assessment and also easy to use for documentation:
Numerical series from 0 to 10, 0 means no pain, 10 means worst pain imaginable. You can ask for the average, lowest, strongest, instantaneous pain.
For patients who have difficulty with the numbers, the VRS Verbal Rating Scale is a good choice:
no pain / little / moderate / strong / strongest pain imaginable
For patients with limited cognition or communication, ECPA can be used very well:
ECPA-questionnaire as PDF for download
SIP/EFIC
The kick-off meeting for SIP Switzerland was held on the 20th of October 2020, with the main goal to establish a platform for discussions on the societal impact of pain. The first meeting of the Swiss SIP Platform was focused on ‘IMST’ (Interdisciplinary Multimodal Pain Therapy). The conference was jointly initiated by Dr. André Ljutow, Past President of the Swiss Pain Society (SPS) and Chief Physician of the Centre for Pain Medicine in Nottwil, Dr. Susanne Hartmann, Pain Centre St. Gallen and spokesperson of the working group Multimodal Pain Therapy of the SPS, and Mr. Peter Catlos from the health insurance association Curafutura, project manager for inpatient tariff structures. The aim of the conference was to take a holistic view of the topic of IMST, from a clinical and scientific point of view, as well as from a classification point of view.
The conference intended to define the following issues:
- Where do the difficulties lie in practice?
- How can we map the IMST better or more optimally in the systems in the future, and how can we reduce the administrative effort, not only for the insurers but also for the hospital?
SIP Switzerland have already mapped the next steps to take and, depending on the pandemic situation, plan to organise a new event in 2021.
You can find more information at the sip-platform.