The European Pain Federation (EFIC®) was formed by the presidents of the European Chapters at a joint meeting held at the time of the World Congress on Pain, in Paris in August, 1993.

Aims

These are in general those of IASP, i.e. to promote research, education, and the clinical management of pain.
The specific aim is to create a forum for European collaboration on pain issues and to encourage communication at a European level between IASP Chapters, and also with other bodies interested or involved in the fields of pain research and therapy such as the European societies or federations of medical specialities (anaesthesiology, neurology, headache, palliative care etc.), institutions of the European Community, European and national educators and legislators.

Examples of pain issues that may be dealt with by EFIC:

• The epidemiology of acute and chronic pain in Europe.
• The availability of pain treatment facilities.
• The interface between patient needs and treatment facilities.
• The recognition of differences in therapeutic strategies and pain education within Europe.
• The harmonisation of such differences.
• Review of existing curricula and plans for training of pain specialists (it might be desirable to develop a European academy to accredit pain specialists, possibly by examination).
• Setting standards for diagnosis and treatment of chronic pains of different types and mechanisms.

Constitution

The affairs of EFIC are conducted by its Council, which consists of the President and the Councillors of each European IASP Chapter, and five elected officers including the President who form the Executive Board. The Council meets once a year while the Board manages affairs between meetings. EFIC is established as a non-governmental organization in Belgium.

EFIC’s position in relation to IASP:
The bylaws of the IASP (section V) provide that national Pain Societies and Associations may constitute Chapters of the IASP in their country. EFIC is an independent federation of European National Pain Societies that have been approved as IASP chapters or chapters in formation. Many of the societies have a large percentage of members who are not members of IASP; they are, none-the-less, members of EFIC and will benefit from the wider perspectives offered by a transnational organisation.

We have developed curricula on pain medicine and pain physiotherapy  accompanying the examinations: the European Diploma in Pain Medicine (EDPM) and the European Diploma in Pain Psychology (EDPP) examinations take place once a year. Further curricula are being developed on nursing and clinical psychology.

• EFIC® Pain Managment Core Curriculum for Medical Students
• EFIC® Core Curriculum for the European Diploma in Pain Medicine
• EFIC® Core Curriculum for the European Diploma in Pain Physicology
• EFIC® Core Curriculum for the European Diploma in Pain Physiotherapy
• EFIC® Core Curriculum for the European Diploma in Pain Nursing

The purpose of the EDPP is to improve the standard of pain assessment and treatment through the provision of a qualification for physiotherapists that tests their broad understanding of all types of pain and their treatment. The content of the Examination is based upon the European Pain Federation EFIC Curriculum for the European Diploma in Pain Physiotherapy (‘the Curriculum’) and accompanying reading list. The EDPP is open to all qualified physiotherapists who see and treat people with pain. Demonstrable possession of a Physiotherapy Degree or Diploma is required, as well as evidence of registration with your national authority or professional body to certify your status as a physiotherapist. Appropriate clinical experience in pain assessment and treatment is essential. The EDPP is open to physiotherapists qualified to work in a hospital setting, assisting patients with rehabilitative efforts following illness or disease. Diplomas obtained via online or short-term courses are, in general, not acceptable. The Examination is composed of three parts:

• Part 1 – a multiple-choice question (MCQ) examination (90 minutes, 35%)
• Part 2 – a series of practical clinical skills examinations (20 minutes, 30%)
• Part 3 – a viva examination – including case study reports (15 minutes, 35%)

The pass mark for the examination is 65%