Fibromyalgia

The purpose of the project was to provide the Rasch Foundation with the necessary background information and networking contacts to use in their endeavor to establish an endowment fund in the area of chronic pain. [...] The goal of the scan is to use accessible and credible information to lead the Rasch Foundation in making pertinent decisions in providing resources to improve the burden of illness for people with chronic pain and specifically for those living with fibromyalgia syndrome. [...] Global estimates of the prevalence of chronic pain, the lack of understanding of the causes, ability to diagnose, treat and manage various chronic pain disorders demonstrated more research and resources are required to address the pervasive and universal burden of illness caused by chronic pain. [...] Following the environmental scan summary, the second part of the report (Section 4.0) presents a discussion surrounding items for the Rasch Foundation to be aware of in the area of research for chronic pain, specific funding recommendations and the identification of where gaps are in resources all arising from the environmental scan and key informant interviews to date. [...] The focus of treatment for chronic pain is: finding the shortest pathway to reducing pain, maintenance of pain reduction for the patient, cost effectiveness for the patient (as many treatments are third party providers), the improvement on quality of life, the improvement of physical function, the impact on anxiety and mood, reducing the effect of drug side effects and a consideration of the risk-