Professional career
Graduated in Medicine in Roma (Italy), in 1973, I started the academic career in the same University, in the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care. Three years later I moved to the University of L’Aquila (Italy), where in 1985 I became Chairman of the Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine Department. At the end of 2010 I was engaged as General Manager of a public company, part of the national Health Care Service. For this reason, in 2011 I left the University, as Chairman and Full Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. At the moment I am President of the Paolo Procacci Foundation and of the European League Against Pain, and involved in research and education on Pain Medicine.
Other professional activities
As a member of the scientific community, I have published few hundred papers and chapters of books, and edited over 30 books. Since 1974 I have been involved, at different levels, in few scientific societies. In 1993 I have been one of the Founding Members of the EFIC, of which I have been Member of the Executive Board for 21 years, also serving as President (2008–2011).
Why is a holistic approach to pain important?
Pain is a multifactorial health problem and human experience. As such, it can only be treated with a holistic approach, including the support of the psychological aspects of each single patient. The clinicians thinking to have excellent results just with the use of drugs or (even worse) with the interventional pain management do not know what a patient affected by chronic pain can experience, how timing is important in the management, and how the interaction with other health care providers is crucial.
Pain is a multifactorial health problem and human experience. As such, it can only be treated with a holistic approach.
What are the main goals of the Fondazione Paolo Procacci in advancing research and education in pain management?
Thank you for the question that gives me the possibility to make clear some aspects of the Fondazione Paolo Procacci (FPP). It was founded in 2008 by a group of professionals, primarily scientists, interested in pain medicine. The initial group consisted of internationally renowned colleagues, some of whom have sadly passed away. Currently, the FPP provides exemplary support for pain medicine research, which was its initial goal, but also works to disseminate fundamental concepts that support the optimal treatment of patients suffering from pain. The FPP has also formed a group of young people interested in the topic and supports their research and publications. This is evidenced by the great success of the Cureus Academic Channel, owned by the FPP, the significant contribution of international publications that have FPP as supporters, and so on. The FPP also publishes its own scientific journal, Advancements in Health Research, which demonstrates its commitment to broadening its research horizons, precisely because pain has multi-specialty and multi-dimensional implications.
How do you think the perception of pain as both a medical and societal issue has evolved over the past decade?
If we think back to the situation a few decades ago, we realise that the general attitude toward pain patients has changed significantly. Unfortunately, this is mirrored by the attitude of some who don't care about the patients' plight but misuse it for other purposes. One of the most striking examples was the "opioid crisis" in the US. Under the grand slogan of wanting to do good for pain patients, incredible quantities of opioids were distributed that were certainly not for the good of pain patients. Now we are experiencing the potential for a further "crisis": interventionism in pain medicine. The pressure from industry is so great that it is driving many in that direction. We only hope the tide will stop.
Which new therapeutic approaches or technologies have recently caught your attention?
As I mentioned in my previous answer, the input coming in is primarily in the direction of technology. My attention, at the moment, is drawn to the support technology can offer in the general treatment of pain patients. A very attractive field is represented by bioengineered devices that can ensure better diagnosis and monitoring of patients with chronic pain, particularly chronic lumbago. We know how important these aspects can be in that type of pathology, as in other osteoarticular diseases causing chronic pain. All of this will have significant implications, as it will address very important ethical and privacy issues, but it could potentially represent a breakthrough in understanding these pathologies and finding solutions.
A very attractive field is represented by bioengineered devices that can ensure better diagnosis and monitoring of patients with chronic pain, particularly chronic lumbago.
What message would you like to share with young doctors who are considering a career in pain management?
I share a very simple message with them. Patients in pain represent an important training ground where you can practice your professional skills and test your ethics. Assist and care for them with love; avoid turning them into a potential source of income. You would be defying your mission as doctors and failing as human beings.
Patients in pain represent an important training ground where you can practice your professional skills and test your ethics. Assist and care for them with love; avoid turning them into a potential source of income. You would be defying your mission as doctors and failing as human beings.
Recommended
Pain Cannot Be Conquered in Isolation, but Only Through the Synergy of Disciplines
Insights from a featured international speaker at the First International Meeting on Pain Psychology in Medicine.
Dr. Jaroslava Raudenská v ČRo o psychologii bolesti
Klinická psycholožka a kognitivně-behaviorální terapeutka (Ústav ošetřovatelsví) v pořadu Dva na Dvojce ČRo.
Jak může psychologie pomoci s léčbou fyzické bolesti
Klinická psycholožka a kognitivně-behaviorální terapeutka (Ústav ošetřovatelsví) dr. Jaroslava Raudenská v rozhovoru s časopisem Vogue.
Největší mýtus je, že ženy vše vydrží a muži nikdy nepláčou
Rozhovor s klinickou psycholožkou a kognitivně-behaviorální terapeutkou, PhDr. Jaroslavou Raudenskou, PhD., která spoluorganizuje nadcházející první mezinárodní setkání v ČR na téma psychologie bolesti v medicíně.
