President's Message: Spring 2004

Angela J. Koestler, PhD

Family and internal medicine physicians are on the frontline in waging war against pain. They frequently provide ongoing care to patients with painful disorders and serve as gatekeepers to other pain specialists. Their patient pain population is diverse and not limited to specific diagnostic categories as is found in Rheumatology, Neurology, and other specialty areas. Care is provided to patients with painful neuropathies and sickle cell to lumbar sprains and other musculoskeletal problems. Yet, the number of family and internal medicine physicians involved in pain organizations is quite low.

Understanding the complexities of pain disorders is difficult given the spectrum of factors that can affect the patient’s pain experience (i.e., perception, coping response, etc.). For example, symptom magnification and symptom exaggeration are often misinterpreted as a clear indication of malingering. Additionally, several journal articles have appeared over the last five years attempting to clarify the intended meaning of Waddell Signs. Positive Waddell Signs have sometimes been interpreted to signify malingering when, in fact, this is not the case, nor the intent of the authors.

Education and networking are cornerstones of pain organizations and offer healthcare providers many opportunities to participate and learn about practice guidelines, the latest research, and interdisciplinary approaches to pain management. The Southern Pain Society will hold its 2004 Annual Scientific Meeting with the Mississippi Pain Society. at the Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi, July 30- August 1, 2004. A special invitation will be extended to family practice and internal medicine physicians to attend. Dr. Bert Ray, Program Chair, and his committee have done an outstanding job in planning and organizing the meeting. Program topics include diagnosis and treatment of headaches, pharmacotherapies, interdisciplinary pain treatment, and ethics in pain treatment. The brochure is in the mail! Mark your calendars and join us on the Mississippi Gulf Coast!

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