Every year, the news magazine FOCUS identifies the best hospitals and top doctors in their field nationwide. Also in 2015, Prof. Dr. Hartmut Göbel, head physician at the Kiel Pain Clinic, was honored as one of Germany's top doctors. The award was given for pain therapy for migraines, headaches and nerve pain as well as for back pain.

According to the news magazine, the basis for the award is independent data collection. The evaluation includes, among other things: an extensive nationwide survey in collaboration with medical societies, scientific publications, recommendations from patient associations, self-help groups, clinic heads, senior physicians and practicing specialists. To create the ranking, according to FOCUS, doctors and patients nationwide are asked who they would allow themselves to be treated by. The ranking was ultimately created after consultation with researchers and representatives of relevant scientific societies, according to FOCUS.

In the current 2015 edition, the “Good Advice Doctors List” also follows its simple but effective principle: Doctors recommend colleagues from whom they or their relatives would seek treatment. It signals that the need for neurologists and pain doctors is currently particularly high. Waiting times of many months are not uncommon here - unless there is an emergency. Prof. Hartmut Göbel is also listed among the top doctors in this ranking for the area of ​​pain therapy in the “Guter Rat-Ärzteliste”.

Prof. Hartmut Göbel said: “My team and I are pleased that our commitment is receiving so much recognition and encouragement. The awards are an incentive to continue to advocate for modern therapies for these debilitating diseases.”