[Additional qualifications in "special pain therapy"--an advantage to surgeons as well?]

Deficits in the treatment of patients with chronic pain lead the German Parliament of Physicians (Deutscher Arztetag) in 1996 to adapt a special curriculum called "Special Pain Treatment". Objectives and contents are defined in detail in guidelines accepted from 10 out of 17 federal commissions in Germany at this time. Because transitional regulations have been administered until now, surgeons have not yet been required to obtain the qualification. The prescribed curriculum and particularly the contract between the association of general practitioners and the insurance companies make the acquisition of the qualification and the permission to use it in private practice covered by insurance very difficult for surgeons.