[Aspects of pain therapy: a survey of neurologic care in Germany].

BACKGROUND

The state of organized care of neurologic pain patients in Germany was to be established with the the help of our survey.

METHODS

A five-page questionnaire was sent to 391 neurologic department heads.

RESULTS

Nearly 60% of the departments participated in the survey. Almost all neurologic departments admit pain patients, especially for further diagnostics and neurologic treatment. These are accepted as important neurologic tasks. The quality of care is excellent. For the diagnostics of chronic pain, multidimensional questionnaires are used in nearly 64% of the departments and psychometric tests in almost 70%. Sixty percent of all units document the acute course of pain treatment. Follow-up examinations are performed in 26% of all hospitals.

CONCLUSION

Structures exist concerning diagnostics and therapy for neurological in- and outpatients with pain. Care procedures for inpatients with pain need improvement. Outcome is seldom documented.