IAPCD

Mission
Goals
Chairman's Message

Mission

IAPCD is committed to providing all members with an open forum for sharing information, resources, and experiences related to the effective management of chronic pain and chemical dependency, and to developing solutions required to overcome the ongoing and worldwide problem of undertreatment of chronic pain.

IAPCD is dedicated to:

• Bridging the issues associated with pain and chemical dependency to support improved therapeutic outcomes for all patients.
• Taking a proactive stance to limit pain and potential chemical dependency to prescribed controlled analgesic substances This type of forum is especially critical in a field where evidence-based clinical research is sorely needed. By building upon the excellent communications and advancements in knowledge that have occurred in the field of chronic pain and chemical dependency, IAPCD has established a series of goals that will ensure an active and ongoing contribution by the association to address the ongoing challenges of the undertreatment of chronic pain across the globe.

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Goals

IAPCD strives to provide members with the best known information relative to:

• Objective assessment of pain and its comorbidities.
• Early and accurate diagnosis of pain and its comorbidities.
• Appropriate, safe and effective prescribing, application of interventional procedures, and appropriate provision of adjuvant and complementary care.
• Reassessment of pain and comorbidities coupled with ongoing monitoring of treatment and goal fulfillment.
• Realization of evolving practice patterns for optimal future management of both pain and chemical dependency.
• Developing strategies and practices that decrease the misuse or diversion of controlled substances while supporting their appropriate use in medical care.
• Support health care professionals who undertake the difficult and sometimes controversial work of appropriate prescribing of controlled substances, such as opioid medications for patients with acute or chronic pain.
• Encourage interdisciplinary cooperation by including membership and educational opportunities for all professionals interested in the interfaces of pain and chemical dependency, including professionals in the fields of health care, policy and regulation, law enforcement, law, politics, media and others.
• Work across these disciplines to improve communication and education regarding the appropriate use of controlled substances in pain treatment. Therefore, another primary goal of the association is to provide education and competency training in areas associated with chemical dependency to minimize the potential for abuse, misuse, chemical dependency, and diversion of controlled substances.

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