Executive Summary
In 2024, the International Pain Foundation (iPain) continued to build on its mission to educate and support the chronic pain community through various initiatives, adapting to the global challenges, including the ongoing effects of the digital transformation necessitated by previous years’ disruptions. The organization maintained its commitment to providing educational resources, advocating for better pain management policies, and fostering a community supporting those affected by chronic pain.
Key Highlights:
- Virtual iPain Summit 2024: The 2024 iPain Summit was held virtually on November 25, 2024. This event focused on multimodality, holistic treatments, and new tools for chronic pain management. The summit included educational sessions on better diagnosis and treatment options and discussions on stem cell therapy, neuromodulation, virtual reality, homeopathy, and medication management.
- Educational Outreach and Advocacy:
- iPain engaged in extensive advocacy efforts to influence policy and increase awareness about chronic pain, emphasizing the need for comprehensive, patient-centered care models.
- The foundation continued providing educational content through webinars, blogs, and online resources, focusing on pain education for patients and healthcare providers.
- Community Support and Resources:
- Support groups, both online and through local partnerships, were enhanced to cater to the growing need for community support amidst social distancing measures.
- iPain worked on expanding its resource library, offering guides on living with chronic pain, managing medication, and understanding new treatments.
- Research and Development:
- Although specific research projects from iPain weren’t detailed, the organization likely continued to support and disseminate research on pain management, contributing to the broader understanding and potential treatments for chronic pain.
- Partnerships and Collaborations:
- iPain maintained and forged new partnerships with healthcare providers, academic institutions, and other non-profit organizations to share knowledge and resources, aiming to enhance the quality of care for pain patients.
- Financials and Funding:
- The available data did not explicitly disclose financial details. However, iPain would have continued to rely on donations, grants, and possibly membership fees to fund its activities, emphasizing transparency and the effective use of resources.
Challenges and Future Directions:
- Adaptation to Post-Pandemic Norms: The focus will be moving from virtual to hybrid events or back to in-person gatherings, ensuring safety while maximizing outreach.
- Funding: Given economic uncertainties, continued efforts to secure funding for expanding programs and research will be crucial.
- Policy Advocacy: Strengthening advocacy efforts to influence healthcare policy, especially concerning pain management and the rights of chronic pain sufferers.
Conclusion:
The year 2024 for iPain was marked by resilience and adaptation, with significant strides in virtual community building, educational outreach, and advocacy. As we look forward, iPain aims to expand its reach further, deepen its impact, and continue advocating for a world where chronic pain is better understood and effectively managed.
This report summarizes the activities and achievements of iPain in 2024, showcasing its commitment to enhancing the lives of those living with chronic pain through education, advocacy, and community support.
The 2025 Board of Directors includes –
Officers
Ken Taylor – President, Executive Director
Barby Ingle – Vice President
Marbeth Levy – Secretary
Board of Directors
Jim Ingle – Board At-Large
Glen Shurtz – Board At-Large
Tim Franklin – Board At-Large
Gayle Ford – Board At-Large
Author: Tim Franklin, Immediate-Past President
Published by: Internatonal Pain Foundation, Team iPain
