Publications
APS Bulletin • Volume 14, Number 3, 2004
Web Site Reviews
Michael E. Clark, PhD, Department Editor
Organization: PainEDU
Reviewed by: Ben Johnson, MD
Site Audience
The PainEDU.org Web site was developed by Inflexxion, Inc. through an unrestricted educational grant from Endo Pharmaceuticals. PainEDU is an educational Web site targeted for clinicians, focusing on pain assessment and management. This site is a comprehensive resource and is based on the latest scientific information about pain treatment. The site is designed for a wide variety of providers, including pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and psychologists.
Content Appraisal
The content is up-to-date and allows the above-listed providers to engage in free interactive continuing education activities after completing a complimentary registration.
A “spotlight” section features an interview with a leading pain specialist as well as a virtual roundtable discussion section that features a multidisciplinary group of pain specialists (physician, nurse, pharmacist, psychologist). Visitors can select one of the featured guests to follow throughout the discussion in order to view their perspective.
There is a book review section in which several pain-related texts are evaluated and rated.
In the tools section, a number of assessment and evaluation instruments are available for downloading and reproduction for clinical use. The populations section includes articles concerning the epidemiology of pain and issues pertaining to pain evaluation and treatment in various populations. This section contains topics such as pain in the elderly, ethnic disparities in pain evaluation and treatment, chronic pain and substance abuse as comorbidities, among others. The resource and news section has recent relevant pain-related news articles, as well as links to other pain-oriented sites including the major pain societies and organizations.
Navigation/Ease of Use
Navigation is user-friendly, with no blind ends noted with the exception of a single dead link to the American Academy of Pain Management. The site is full of information, but it is well organized and the visitor can easily access all the information that the site has to offer.
Recommendations
I highly recommend this site to APS and non-APS pain professionals, particularly clinicians. It presents a wealth of current pain-related information, pain resources, and internet links likely to be of interest to a broad spectrum of APS members.
Reviewer content represents the opinion of the reviewer, not APS.
Please direct your comments or suggestions for future Web Site Reviews to Michael E. Clark, PhD, Department Editor, at michaeleclark2@msn.com