Computerized data-acquisition and reports in the pain clinic

The treatment of pain continues to attract increasing interest. The Netherlands Health Council stresses the need for thorough evaluation of the efficacy and side-effects of pain treatment. In order to attain this objective an invaluable contribution can be made by means of computerized data-acquisition and reporting. We have developed a computer program within which general information, treatments and diagnoses for each patient can be included within the pain coding system of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). It is possible to generate standard reports or reports on demand by using the commercially available 'Relational Report Writer'. Over a period of 3 years (1988-90) the data of 2405 patients and 8767 treatments have been recorded. A descriptive analysis of the data is given. The computer program provides excellent support to the administration and management of the clinic. Research on the diagnoses and treatment of the patients in our pain clinic is facilitated.