The pain problem affects about 8.5 million patients in Poland. Twenty-seven percent of adults suffer from chronic pain. One in five of them declare that they would not be able to tolerate more severe pain. - For years, we have wanted pain to be treated as the fifth vital parameter in every patient and to be included in medical records like temperature or blood pressure measurements," points out Magdalena Kocot-Kępska, MD, President of the Polish Pain Research Society.
The good news for such patients is the decision of Health Minister Adam Niedzielski, who has just signed a regulation on the standard of pain treatment. According to its provisions, it is the patient's right that the medical care system and doctors address a problem that affects every aspect of the patient's life. The pain treatment standard has been introduced. This means that every patient with such an ailment will have the severity of pain examined so that a diagnosis can be made and proper treatment implemented. This is to be ensured by medical history and examination. The interview should focus on the causes and intensity of pain (using scales specified by regulation), the nature and circumstances of its occurrence, previous treatment, complaints resulting from pain and their impact on quality of life. The patient's medical history, according to the new regulation, must be accompanied by a pain intensity assessment sheet. This is an obligatory part of the medical record.
"Of course, primary care physicians will always be that first line, while in the periphery is the pain management clinic, where the patient should be referred when the first-choice treatment is ineffective or causes adverse symptoms." - CEO Magdalena Kocot-Kępska said.
