University of Wisconsin Pain & Policy Studies Group

[Guest guest]

Pain & Policy Studies Group

Our Vision

Our vision is that people who suffer pain from cancer, AIDS, surgery,

accidents, and chronic conditions will have relief from their pain and a

better quality of life; and that caregivers will know when and how to use

opioid analgesics without fear of regulatory agencies.

Our Mission

Our mission is to " balance " international, national and state policies to

ensure adequate availability of pain medications for patient care while

minimizing diversion and abuse, and to support a global communications

program to improve access to information about pain relief, palliative care,

and policy.

We are interested in the extent to which the regulation (or the perception

of regulation) of drugs and professional practice affects pain management.

Much of our work focuses on identifying and addressing the barriers to

medical use of opioid analgesics (narcotic drugs), which are essential to

chronic pain management and palliative care.

Our work is accomplished through a University program which includes

Research

Methods to evaluate policy and barriers

Surveys of regulators, clinicians

Analysis of laws, regulations and other policy

Education

Programs for clinicians, regulators, and policy makers

Fellowships for regulators

Internships for University students

Communication

Publication of articles and monographs

Newsletter publication

Websites

The Group's work is multidisciplinary; we collaborate with colleagues at the

University of Wisconsin and other academic institutions, agencies of federal

and state governments, and associations of professionals, health care

providers and patients. Financial support is provided to the University in

the form of grants or unrestricted gifts from government agencies,

educational and scientific foundations, and industry.

Contact:

406 Science Drive, Suite 202

Madison, WI 53711-1068

Telephone:

Fax:

Website: http://www.medsch.wisc.edu/painpolicy/