Dear friends and colleagues,

The idea behind organizing a multidisciplinary forum on Pain medicine was born of the real need to foster cross-talk between physicians and allied healthcare professionals who manage pain as part of their routine daily practice, and those who devote 100% of their time to the practice and management of pain.

The program of the International Forum on Pain Medicine will feature accessible frontal lectures focusing on the basics of pain, presentations on the various clinical manifestations associated with the major acute and chronic pain conditions, and elucidation of the very latest on pharmacological approaches and interventional techniques used for the management of chronic pain, a scourge that is rapidly coming to be seen as a disease in its own right. Forum sessions will also provide an opportunity for presentations of new techniques, and will create a platform for lectures on recent experience gained with state-of-the-art management approaches

A world-class faculty of speakers and experts in the field of Pain Medicine have been invited to the Forum, to ensure the highest professional standards and usefulness of this important event. In addition, to further enrich the meeting, the WIP expert teachers will bring the latest developments in the field of Interventional pain practice.

The Bulgarian Association for Pain Investigation and Treatment is a chapter in formation in IASP, the International Association for the Study of Pain. Its members are eager to acquire and share knowledge on pain, and to showcase to the world their marvelous and intriguing capital city and country.

These are among the reasons for choosing Bulgaria, and its beautiful capital Sofia, as host venue to the International Forum on Pain Medicine. For those who have never visited Sofia, I know that you will be thrilled by this gracious and picturesque city, one of the most ancient in all of Europe, located at the foot of the Mount Vitosha, and boasting the best of street-life, culture and culinary delights just waiting for you to discover.

We urge you to support this important meeting and join us in building our platform for fighting pain. Your support can be given in many ways. Please read on for details of the programme and how you can support it.

Prof. David Niv, M.D., FIPP
Chairman, Scientific Program

Welcome from the President of the Bulgarian Association
of Pain Investigation and Treatment

Dear Colleagues,

It is a pleasure and honour for me to invite you to attend the International Forum on Pain Medicine that will take place in May 2005 in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The Bulgarian Association of Pain Investigation and Treatment is one of the newer members of IASP and has the pleasure to be a co-organizer of this multi-disciplinary meeting. We look forward to the opportunity to discuss a variety of Pain Medicine topics. I am confident that the choice of topics, and the participation of an outstanding international faculty, will contribute to the success of this International Forum. Our program, involving specialists from different disciplines, will provide an opportunity for the discussion of theoretical, practical, clinical and organizational aspects of acute and chronic pain.
Members of the Local Organizing Committee will do their best to ensure that you have an enjoyable and interesting stay in the beautiful town of Sofia. As the capital city of Bulgaria, Sofia is situated at the foot of Mount Vitosha and offers many historical, cultural and entertainment possibilities. Apart from the natural beauty spots, one can also visit many historical orthodox churches, popular ski resorts and visit the world famous Rila Monastery. I wish you a pleasant and fruitful stay in Sofia.

I look forward to seeing you in May 2005.

Prof. Ivan Smilov, M.D., Dscmed
President, Bulgarian Association of Pain Investigation and Treatment