Back in 2015 an international task force of pain experts headed by the IASP President, Prof Dr.Rolf-Detlef Treede and working in close cooperation with the World Health Organization commenced work on developed a proposal for a systematic and pragmatic classification of chronic pain.
Their goal is to create a classification system for the upcoming 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) that is equally useful in primary care and in settings for specialized pain management. ICD 11 is due to be published in June 2018.
This is a major and significant development. Why is it important? The ICD is important because it provides a common language for reporting and monitoring diseases. This allows the world to compare and share data in a consistent and standard way – between hospitals, regions and countries and over periods of time. It facilitates the collection and storage of data for analysis and evidence-based decision-making. Most importantly it lifts the burden of proof off the shoulders of those living with Chronic Pain as the condition will have a formal classification as a disease.
Currently ICD 11 is in draft form and has yet to be approved and adopted by the WHO and as mentioned above is not due for publication until June 2018. There are a few more hurdles to overcome but hopefully it will happen. For more http://www.who.int/classifications/icd/revision/en/
(World Health Organisation – WHO) (International Association for the Study of Pain – IASP) (International Classification of Diseases – ICD)
