European Pain Federation EFIC


The European Pain Federation EFIC, formerly the European Federation of IASP Chapters, is a multidisciplinary professional organisation in the field of pain science and medicine, consisting of the 37 European National Pain Societies. Established in 1993, EFIC with its 37 constituent chapters represents close to 20,000 scientists, physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists and other healthcare professionals across Europe, who study pain and treat patients suffering from pain. The European Journal of Pain is published since January 1997 and currently issues 10 volumes per year.

History of EFIC

EFIC was founded by European IASP Chapters at a joint meeting held during the World Congress on Pain in Paris, August 27, 1993. During his time as IASP President, Ulf Lindblom had developed the idea to build a Federation of IASP Chapters in Europe. It was conceived as a way for better communication between the IASP headquarters in the USA and the European IASP Chapters. The main aim of establishing a European federation was to offer advice and guidance in pain medicine specifically tailored for the needs of the European countries and patients.
The first EFIC "Pain in Europe" congress was held in Verona, Italy, 1995.

Congress

The European Pain Federation organises a biennial scientific congress, Pain in Europe, to showcase the latest basic science and clinical developments in the field of pain medicine. The congress attracts over 3,000 attendees, primarily clinicians and, as well as showcasing research, also provides educational content based on the European Pain Federation curricula. The 2019 congress will be held in Valencia, Spain.