SIG Pain Psychology
Declaration of Intent:
Pain perception is one of the strongest motivational systems. Pain perception goes beyond mere nociception (signal transmission from the nociceptor to the central nervous system to indicate tissue damage): Pain refers to sensory-discriminative, affective, vegetative, cognitive, motivational and motor components, which can often also have social effects [1].
Accordingly, the International Association of Pain Associations (IASP) explicitly recommends a biopsychosocial treatment approach for the treatment of people with chronic pain. The aim is to give individual attention to both somatic and psychological components in order to be able to offer an effective, appropriate and ultimately economical pain therapy.
In Switzerland, the Special Interest GroupSIG Pain Psychology of the Swiss Pain Society (SPS) is composed of psychologists, physicians and specialist therapists who think, work and research in an interdisciplinary setting. The SIG is regarded as the national contact point for questions on the subject of pain psychology and advocates pain psychological content in interdisciplinary treatment algorithms for the benefit of pain sufferers.
It organises quarterly meetings (usually in Zurich), an annual conference in a specialised institution and prepares congress contributions (for current data see Activities).
Membership
Non-members are always welcome to come and get to know us. They can participate in the meetings without regular membership until the end of the respective calendar year. Interested parties can contact the SIG management by e-mail.
Full members of the SIG fulfill the following criteria:
- Membership of the SPS (https://swisspainsociety.ch/de/mitglieder/mitglied-werden/)
- Participation in at least one meeting per calendar year.
- A contribution to the SIG (organisational, content)
Goals of the Special Interest Group SIG Pain Psychology
- Network
Promotion of therapeutic and scientific exchange and networking of relevant professionals. Contact person of the Swiss Pain Society for pain psychological questions. - Public Relations
Establishment of a biopsychosocial understanding in the treatment of pain sufferers in the health care system and the population – pain psychological diagnostics and adjuvant therapy should become the standard procedure for chronic pain. - Education
Establishment of further training courses in pain psychology for medical doctors and specialist therapists - Services
SIG is the contact for pain psychological issues in research, practice and further education
Aarau and Nottwil, July 2021
[1] https://www.iasp-pain.org/Education/Content.aspx?ItemNumber=1698&navItemNumber=576
(Pain terminology, last access 07.07.2021)
Mr Ben Brönnimann Dr. phil.
Psychologe FSP
Eidg. anerkannter Psychotherapeut
Psychiatrische Dienste Aargau AG
Zentrum Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie ambulant
Bleichemattstrasse 16
Postfach 2602
5001 Aarau
Mrs Julia Kaufmann MSc
Eidg. anerkannte Psychotherapeutin
Zentrum für Schmerzmedizin
Schweizer Paraplegiker-Zentrum
Guido A. Zäch Strasse 1
6207 Nottwil
SIG publications
Our SIG briefly explained
Download as PDF
Dos and don’ts in communication with chronic pain patients
Download as PDF
Evidence-based pain psychological treatment
Download as PDF
Activities of the SIG
2024
2023
2022
2021
- Agenda 2021
2020
- Focus 2020: Further training offer in the interdisciplinary treatment of chronic pain in Switzerland.
2019
- Four quarterly meetings following the working group on chronic pain SAPPM
- Conference with further training and retreat at the Littenheid Clinic with the guide Psychotraumatology and Pain
- Meeting at the SGSS Annual Congress in Basel
2018
- Four quarterly meetings following the working group on chronic pain SAPPM
- Conference with further training and retreat at the pain clinic of the Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen
- Meeting at the SGSS Annual Congress
2017
- Four quarterly meetings following the working group on chronic pain SAPPM
- Conference with further training and retreat at the Bern Clinic Montana (see separate programme)
- Meeting at SGSS Annual Congress including poster presentations
2016
- Four quarterly meetings following the working group on chronic pain SAPPM
- Conference with further training and retreat at the Klinik Barmelweid (see separate programme)
- Meeting at SGSS Annual Congress including poster presentations
starting 2012
- Four quarterly meetings following the working group on chronic pain SAPPM
- A full-day retreat at the Kongresshaus Vatter in Bern (see separate programme)
- Meeting at SGSS Annual Congress including poster presentations
starting 2003
- The founding idea for a SIG Pain Psychology was developed during the EFIC Congress in Prague 2003, the first SIG meeting took place during the SGSS Annual Congress in the same year with the founding members Rolf Aeberli, Roberto Brioschi, Christine Cedraschi, Wolfgang Dumat, Christine Favre, Ursula Galli, Ruth Wittig and Brigitta Wössmer. Since then, the SIG has been active with at least 3 SIG meetings per year. The main objective was to clearly represent the multidisciplinary approach to pain management from a psychological point of view both within and outside the SGSS and to provide a forum for professional exchange, projects and activities for all those interested in this subject.
- In order to implement these concerns, we have focused on the following objectives:
- Networking: creation and maintenance of a list of specialized pain therapists and creation of a SIG presence on the SGSS website
- Active participation in the further education and training programmes offered by SGSS (annual congresses, SGSS brunches, SGSS course in multidisciplinary pain therapy) as well as promotion and coordination of pain psychological programmes
Member list
A current list of all SIG members can be viewed here in PDF format.
Annual reports
Annual report 2023
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Annual report 2022
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Annual report 2021
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Annual report 2019
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Annual report 2018
(no PDF available)
Annual report 2017
(no PDF available)
Annual report 2016
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Annual report 2015
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Annual report 2014
(no PDF available)
Annual report 2013
(no PDF available)
Annual report 2012
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Annual report 2011
(no PDF available)
Foundation 2010