Pain Clinic Kiel and TK win ideas competitionpain clinic Kiel and TK win ideas competition 1

Kiel, March 24, 2009. The Kiel Pain Clinic and the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) jointly participated in the competition “ yesterday (March 23) in BerlinIdeas Park Healthy Economy 2009The Kiel care model for the treatment of chronic headaches has been awarded a prize. It is one of ten award-winning healthcare programs in Germany Financial Times Germany (FTD) has sought out the ten most innovative companies, institutions and individuals from across the healthcare sector. The aim of the competition The aim is to make pioneering approaches known to a wider public and thus advance the debate on a better health system.Two years ago, TK (Techniker Krankenkasse) and the Kiel Pain Clinic launched the first nationwide coordinated headache treatment network. Since then, more than 1,200 people with severe chronic headaches have been treated according to the holistic Kiel concept. “For those affected, this care concept is a milestone – many are experiencing a life without headaches for the first time in many years,” says Professor Dr. Hartmut Göbel, Director of the Kiel Pain Clinic. The nationwide concept was jointly developed by the partners, the Kiel Pain Clinic and TK. “For the first time, it enables nationwide, cross-sector networking of outpatient and inpatient headache therapy,” explains Dr. Johann Brunkhorst, Head of the TK State Office for Schleswig-Holstein.


Nationwide, more than 400 regional pain therapists, as well as inpatient pain therapists from the Kiel Pain Clinic, work closely together. They treat patients according to current guidelines and the latest scientific standards. The quality of treatment is continuously improved through ongoing scientific research and medical exchange. Sustainable cost-effectiveness has been confirmed through analysis of direct and indirect costs. Two years after its launch, almost all major health insurance companies have now joined the care project.

The concept has completely restructured the care of the widespread ailment of headaches . It is now considered a model for effective pain therapy by international experts. "We are proud that our innovative care concept is now being recognized. This is proof of the high performance of Schleswig-Holstein as a healthcare hub," said TK CEO Brunkhorst. Both project partners intend to further expand the concept. Plans include offering special headache courses for children and developing prevention programs for schoolchildren.

Headache Network Awarded Report Journal for Pain Therapy 052009