State Pain Initiatives

State Pain Initiative Websites - Check out the individual websites for many of the ASPI's State Pain Initiatives

State Pain Initiative Contact Persons - See who to contact for information about a Pain Initiative in your state.

September 2007 was Pain Awareness Month!
The State Pain Initiatives coordinated and participated in a wide variety of activities and events to raise awareness about pain and pain management.  Click here to learn about what happened in each state.

Updates on State Pain Initiative Activities

Thanks to our supporters and partners the national office of the ASPI is able to provide funds and resources to help State Pain Initiatives enhance their extraordinary work in improving the quality of care for persons who suffer from pain. Here is a snapshot of some of the creative programs and activities.

Alabamians for Pain Relief

Enhancing Organizational Capacity

Improved website with more information for consumers and professionals
Began web-based meetings that increased participation 250%

Northern California Pain Initiative

Improving Health Care Professionals' Knowledge of Cancer Pain Management

Organized and offered a CME teleconference on evidence based practice for the management of cancer pain in adults and children

Southern California Cancer Pain Initiative (SCCPI)

Promoting Excellence in Pain Management and Palliative Care for Social Workers

Held educational conference for 135 social workers from across the country to improve skills and knowledge in caring for persons with pain and their family members
Scheduled second program for social workers on August 23-24, 2007 to meet interest and demand

Florida Pain Initiative

Establishing a Statewide Coalition to Improve Pain Policy and Education

Advocated for balanced prescription drug monitoring program during 2006 legislative session
Held a one-day Florida Pain Summit for over 100 Florida health care professionals

Illinois Pain Initiative

Rebuilding the Illinois Pain Initiative

Identified over 600 potential Initiative participants statewide
Began evaluating public policy issues affecting access to pain care in Illinois  

Indiana Pain Initiative

Pain Improvement Partnership Program

Initiated a pain care quality improvement program with the national office of the ASPI
Enrolled 10 health care organizations serving more than 3600 patients per day  

Kansas Pain Initiative / Kansas LIFE Project

Every Kansan Should Expect Good Pain Management

Sponsored forum for state leaders, key legislators, and public officials
Helped pass the Pain Patient's Quality of Care Act

Maine Pain Initiative

Physician Self-Study: Pain Management at the End of Life

Developed and distributed over 1,000 CME-accredited self study packets for physicians to help manage pain at the end of life

Maryland Pain Initiative

Chronic Pain Public Listenings – Exploring Their Impact

Evaluated the MPI's community-focused public listening sessions to determine how best to meet the needs of persons with chronic pain

Massachusetts Pain Initiative

Pain Management Pocket Tools Dissemination and Power Over Pain Public Awareness

Developed and provided over 8,500 pain management pocket tools for practitioners to improve the quality of pain care
Developing a stand alone learning module and CD-ROM for the Power Over Pain outreach and education program which has reached over 1,400 members of the public and health care profession

Missouri Pain Initiative

The Show-Me Urban and Rural Education (SURE) Project

Trained health professional volunteers to provide education in pain management to their peers throughout the state

Pain Improvement Partnership Program

Initiated a pain care quality improvement program with the national office of the ASPI
Enrolled 12 long term care facilities serving more than 1700 residents per day

Power Over Pain Public Awareness

Spearheaded comprehensive public outreach and awareness campaign with special focus on September Pain Awareness Month
Produced and distributed 17,000 "Managing Pain Begins With You" public education brochures

Montana Pain Initiative

Politics of Pain - Improving Pain Management Policy in Montana

Sponsored a statewide conference on April 27-28, 2007 to explore the barriers to pain management in Montana, develop strategies to improve pain care, and form a Montana Pain Initiative

New Hampshire Pain Initiative

Are You in Pain? Public Service Announcement

Produced a public service announcement for broadcast on TV that encourages viewers to talk to their doctors if they are in pain
Watch the public service announcement here (RealPlayer needed)

New Mexico Pain Initiative

Creating a Statewide Effort

Held a statewide stakeholders meeting to engage diverse organizations in actions to improve pain care
Helped the New Mexico Pain Management Advisory Council draft a report and recommendations to the Governor

Power Over Pain Public Awareness

Gave numerous public presentations, conducted train-the-trainer programs, and exhibited pain information at health fairs, senior centers and public libraries. Obtained a Governor's proclamation of "Power Over Pain" month for February 2006

South Carolina Pain Initiative

Initiative Capacity Building

Revived the South Carolina Pain Initiative!
Developed strategic plan to address pain, created web based information and resources, and led professional education and consumer awareness initiatives

Texas Cancer Pain Initiative of the American Cancer Society, High Plains Division

The Texas Pain Summit

Organized a Pain Summit on August 25, 2006 in Austin, TX that brought together health care and policy experts, researchers, regulatory officials, educators and patient advocates to explore issues around pain management and public policy in the state of Texas
Developing the "Texas Action Plan for Pain" based on issues and recommendations from the Pain Summit
Surveying the general public and health care professionals regarding pain and its treatment.

Virginia Cancer Pain Initiative

Collaboration with the Massey Cancer Center and Expanding Professional Education Opportunities

Partnered with prominent cancer center to offer toll free pain hotline, 866-990-4878 to help persons with questions about their pain
Offering live, interactive videoconference for health care professionals on the pharmacologic management of persistent pain in adults

West Virginia Pain Initiative

Enhancing Public Awareness: Moving the Pain Movement Forward in West Virginia through the Media

Hosted a statewide Pain Summit with nearly 200 participants
Raised awareness through articles published in the statewide media

Wisconsin Pain Initiative

Promoting Pain Relief Through Health Professional Regulatory Boards

Collaborated with WI Pharmacy Examining Board to draft and issue a statement on pain management for pharmacists
Requested the WI Medical Board to endorse the Federation of State Medical Boards' model Pain Policy
Worked with the WI Nursing Board to draft and issue a white paper on pain management

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