The DC Pain Initiative

The District of Columbia Pain Initiative (DCPI) is a membership organization composed of health care professionals, pain patients and other individuals and organizations who have joined together to improve the quality of pain management in the District of Columbia. The DCPI will act to enhance understanding of the consequences of untreated pain, to advocate for better access to pain management and to educate the professionals, the public and the policy makers in the way and means to improve pain management.

Web Sites for Patients and Professionals

State Pain Initiatives Web Sites

American Alliance for Cancer Pain Initiatives

From their website: The American Alliance of Cancer Pain Initiatives is dedicated to promoting cancer pain relief nationwide by supporting the efforts of State Cancer Pain Initiatives. Cancer Pain Initiatives are voluntary, grassroots organizations composed of nurses, physicians, pharmacists, social workers, psychologists, and representatives of clergy, higher education, and government. Initiatives and their participants provide education and advocacy to healthcare providers, cancer patients and their families

American Pain Foundation

From their website: Founded in 1997, the American Pain Foundation is an independent nonprofit 501(c)3 organization serving people with pain through information, advocacy, and support. Our mission is to improve the quality of life of people with pain by raising public awareness, providing practical information, promoting research, and advocating to remove barriers and increase access to effective pain management.

American Cancer Society - Pain Control: A Guide for People with Cancer and Their Families

Pain & Policy Studies Group

From their website: The purpose of this website is to facilitate public access to information about pain relief and public policy, including material published by the PPSG and other authoritative sources.

The intended audiences for this information include patients, the public, and professionals in medicine, pharmacy, nursing, palliative care, cancer care, law, and other related disciplines. The Pain & Policy Studies Group, at the University of Wisconsin, addresses both domestic and international policy issues and is a World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Policy and Communications in Cancer Care.

Cancer Pain Management in Children Sponsored by the Texas Cancer Council (www.txcancer.org)

From their website: The design and development of this website and its contents were funded by a grant from the Texas Cancer Council as a resource, focused on pain management, for health professionals who care for children with cancer. Pain is frequently a significant acute and chronic symptom of these children and is often under treated. A better understanding of the nature of pain, new interventions, agents, and methods of pain medication delivery are essential components to improving a child's care and quality of life. The site offers Continuing Education credit for those who complete the requirements.

Cancer-Pain.org

From their website: A majority of cancer patients experience pain and are generally less satisfied with their pain treatment than doctors think they are. Although adequate relief can be achieved with available therapies, studies show that cancer pain remains underreported and undertreated. This is due primarily to lack of education about pain assessment and control; myths about addiction to medication; and a general reluctance on the part of patients and physicians to initiate discussions about this important aspect of cancer treatment.

Cancer-pain.org has been developed by ACOR (Association of Cancer Online Resources) with input and advice from patients, caregivers and an Advisory Board of health care professionals dedicated to providing the most advanced cancer pain relief. Our aim is to help cancer patients receive the pain treatment they deserve.

Mayday Pain Project

From their website: The major goal of The Mayday Pain Project is to increase awareness and provide objective information concerning the treatment of pain. This website is set up to be an index for visitors and contains carefully chosen Internet links and resources. We hope that everyone from pain sufferers to family members and care givers to medical professionals will use this site.

National Pain Foundation

From their website: An on-line education and support community for persons in pain, their families and physicians. Your source for treatment options and pain information that is peer reviewed by leading pain specialists.

Pain and The Law

American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics

From their website: This site focuses primarily on the legal issues involving pain management and palliative care.

Partners Against Pain

From their website: An alliance of patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers working together to alleviate unnecessary suffering by leading efforts to advance standards of pain care through education and advocacy. This web site is sponsored by Purdue Frederick and Company. It contains a variety of useful tools and educational programs for pain assessment and management.

American Society of Consultant Pharmacists

From their website: The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) is the international professional association that provides leadership, education, advocacy, and resources to advance the practice of senior care pharmacy.

The American Academy of Pain Medicine

From their website: The mission of the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) is to promote quality care of patients with pain as a symptom of disease and primary pain disease through research, education, and advocacy, and through the advancement of the specialty of Pain Medicine.

American Pain Society

From their website: The American Pain Society is a multidisciplinary organization of basic and clinical scientists, practicing clinicians, policy analysts, and others. The mission of the American Pain Society is to advance pain-related research, education, treatment and professional practice.