The Västra Götaland region in Sweden has established a unified pathway for chronic pain treatment through four specialized pain teams. According to regional health authorities, approximately 20 percent of Sweden's adult population suffers from chronic pain, and these patients can now access coordinated care through pain teams in Skövde, Borås, Uddevalla, and Gothenburg.
Kerstin Wilhelmsson, a psychologist with the Gothenburg pain team, stated that adults over 18 experiencing pain lasting more than three months can receive care through the program. The service excludes cancer-related pain and requires referrals from primary care physicians.
adults over 18 with pain lasting more than three months can receive care through the program
The multidisciplinary pain teams include physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, psychotherapists, doctors, counselors, and medical secretaries working together to provide comprehensive care. Treatment approaches include both group therapy and individual interventions, often focusing on helping patients understand chronic pain and shift their focus from eliminating pain to living with it.
Patients who have experienced traffic accidents, suffer from migraines, or have conditions like fibromyalgia are among those treated by the teams. The new coordinated approach aims to provide more equitable care for chronic pain patients across the region.