Unidades de dolor en España. Encuesta SED Día del Dolor 2007

Despite the difficulties and lack of resources encountered, pain units perform considerable clinical work and a fair number also carry out teaching and research. National and regional health authorities should take a census, which should then be used to provide all the hospitals in the country with a pain unit suitable to each type of hospital. Level IV pain units should be created in level I and regional hospitals. Some family physicians should receive training in pain in order to improve coordination and provide optimal patient care. Equally, closer links with palliative care units are also desirable, since a not inconsiderable percentage of cancer patients could benefit from such a collaboration. The Comprehensive National Plan for the Treatment of Pain, much heralded by the Ministry of Health, should urgently be implemented, as has occurred with other prevalent disorders.