Kiel, Bad Segeberg, March 10, 2026. The Kiel Pain Clinic and the Techniker Krankenkasse (a German health insurance company) have been awarded the prize of the Schleswig-Holstein Association for Quality Assurance in Healthcare (FKQS) for their project "Multimodal Pain Therapy for Chronic Migraine." This model project marks a turning point: It is the first quality contract nationwide for multimodal pain therapy in inpatient care – and also the only contract in Germany with a clear focus on chronic migraine.

The award draws attention to a serious healthcare problem. Millions of people with chronic pain in Germany continue to receive inadequate care. The Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), the highest decision-making body of the joint self-governance system in the healthcare sector, has been identifying significant structural deficiencies for years: too few specialized centers, a lack of interdisciplinary care structures, and a considerable shortage of qualified professionals.

These findings carry particular weight. The Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) makes binding decisions regarding which medical services are financed by statutory health insurance funds and which quality standards apply nationwide. Its guidelines directly determine the actual care provided to patients. When this committee identifies shortcomings, it is more than just an analysis – it is a clear mandate for action in health policy.

Quality contracts are one of the few instruments that allow new care models to be systematically tested and, if successful, integrated into standard care. The Kiel Agreement demonstrates the potential of this approach – and how urgently structural reforms are needed.

The focus is on intensified multimodal pain therapy that consistently integrates medical, psychological, and therapeutic disciplines. Instead of fragmented individual treatments, patients receive structured, interdisciplinary, and comprehensive care with clear responsibilities, standardized treatment plans, and continuous team management.

A key quality indicator is systematic monitoring of treatment success: pain intensity, functional capacity, quality of life, medication use, and work capacity are prospectively recorded and digitally documented. Support does not end with discharge – digital applications such as the migraine app ensure the long-term success of therapy in everyday life.

At the same time, the concept strengthens the health literacy and self-efficacy of those affected through targeted training, individual therapy plans, and structured aftercare. The goal is not short-term symptom relief, but long-term stabilization, social participation, and genuine continuity of care.

Prof. Dr. Hartmut Göbel, Pain Clinic Kiel, emphasizes: “Chronic pain must not be a marginal issue in the healthcare system. What we need are binding quality standards, interdisciplinary structures, and a care system that is consistently geared towards scientific progress and the needs of severely affected people. This project shows that and how this is possible.”

This award-winning project exemplifies a modern healthcare logic: specialized expertise, binding structures, digital support, and scientific evaluation are all interwoven. The award thus not only recognizes an innovative care concept but also sends a clear signal for establishing quality in pain medicine as a binding standard – structured, measurable, and consistently aligned with the needs of severely affected individuals. It underscores that care must not be left to chance but requires reliable framework conditions and a priority in health policy.

Photo: Dr. Gisa Andresen, Chairwoman of FKQS, presents the award to Prof. Dr. Hartmut Göbel, Kiel Pain Clinic, and Bente Kroll, TK