The award recognizes innovations in education, self-help work and care
Kiel, November 28, 2014. At a ceremony held at the Kiel Yacht Club, the German Migraine and Headache Prize of the German Headache Treatment Network was awarded for outstanding innovative journalistic reporting, sustained commitment to self-help, and the implementation of new ideas for improving the care of those affected.
Prof. Dr. Hartmut Göbel, initiator of the German Headache Treatment Network and Chief Physician of the Kiel Pain Clinic, presented the 2014 German Migraine and Headache Prize in the media category to film producer Dr. Manfred Bölk from Cologne for his SWR/ARD documentary "Migraine: A Widespread Ailment: What Helps Against the Pain Attacks?". The jury found that the film conveyed the latest scientific findings accurately and comprehensibly in an exemplary manner. Viewers could directly understand and experience the biological processes of migraines and headaches. At the same time, the film successfully conveyed the emotional impact of migraine and allowed viewers to empathize with it. The film fosters understanding and thus reaches even those who do not suffer from migraines and headaches themselves. It provides powerful emotional connections and motivates viewers to delve deeper into the topic. Migraines and headaches affect all age groups, from early childhood to old age. The documentary outlines the years of missteps, misdiagnoses, and ineffective treatments until, finally, during filming, a modern, specialized, and targeted pain therapy becomes available. The documentary encourages viewers to seek modern, coordinated migraine and headache therapy despite years of suffering. It conveys the modern biological background of the disease mechanisms and illustrates the pronounced individual and societal impact of the widespread condition of migraine. By combining scientific rigor, emotional engagement, and the transmission of confidence through effective treatment options, the film is a successful example of medical education and information.
The 2014 German Migraine and Headache Prize in the self-help category was awarded to Bettina Frank of Munich. Ms. Frank recognized the potential of the internet and social media early on for nationwide education and information for those affected by migraines and headaches. She initiated and implemented the social network "Headbook" at www.headbook.me for migraine and headache sufferers. Headbook was developed by her in 2010 and is moderated by her on a voluntary basis. It represents a modern platform for exchanging information and deepening knowledge on all aspects of migraines and headaches. Headbook is completely free for the general public and is the largest social network on the topic. In parallel, Ms. Frank initiated a self-help group on Facebook, the Migraine Community. These social networks are regularly maintained and managed by Ms. Frank on a voluntary basis. More than 5,000 active members exchange information daily. The social networks she founded provide over 30,000 users with the latest information on migraines and headaches every day. Ms. Frank also organizes regular nationwide personal meetings for members and provides individual advice as part of her self-help work on the topic of migraines and headaches.
The 2014 German Migraine and Headache Award in the category of care was presented to Dr. Axel Heinze , specialist in neurology and senior consultant at the Kiel Pain Clinic. The jury highlighted Dr. Heinze's pioneering work over many years in establishing integrated and coordinated care for migraine and headache patients. The award recipient has demonstrated continuous and tireless dedication for more than 20 years. Dr. Heinze contributed innovative ideas to the practical implementation of integrated care in the development of the nationwide coordinated headache treatment network. His achievements in developing clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of migraine and headaches, as well as in translating the International Headache Society's classification of migraine, headache, and neuralgia, make current knowledge directly available for the care of migraine and headache patients. Dr. Heinze is also continuously active nationwide in providing information, education, and organizing self-help groups and informational events for health insurance companies. He leads advanced training and continuing education courses for physicians and also across disciplines for all other participating therapeutic professions in the field of specialized migraine and headache therapy. His dedicated and sustained commitment and his extraordinary achievement in improving patient care therefore deserve special recognition and were decisive factors in awarding him the 2014 Healthcare Award.
In his laudatory speech, Prof. Dr. Hartmut Göbel praised the outstanding dedication, pioneering work, and exceptional commitment of the award recipients. "They make the processes of migraines and headaches understandable to those affected. They demonstrate new and effective ways to improve and coordinate care. Their continuous commitment, remarkable innovative strength, and sustained dedication to education, information, and care deserve recognition.".
Congratulations to all award winners!
A special thank you to you, dear Bettina, for your committed and loving professional support that you provide to all of us every day!!
It's great that you're there!
I would like to warmly congratulate the award winners on behalf of our association.
Through their work, they have impressively shown how important it is to approach the topic of headaches with different approaches, be it through direct patient care and care, through journalistic documentary work or through the provision and support of internet-based exchange forums.
The interaction of all of this work in the context of the headache network leads to improved, innovative and contemporary care for headache patients.
And this applies not only to patients suffering from common illnesses such as migraines or tension headaches, but also to a large extent to patients with rare headache disorders such as cluster headache syndrome, CPH, SUNCT and many others.
I would like to thank you for your outstanding and exemplary work for the benefit of headache patients.
Dr.
Harald Müller Federal Association of Cluster Headache Self-Help Groups _ CSG eV