Der Anaesthesist
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Anesthesiologists have always played a leading role in research into pain and its treatment. Their efforts, however, have been focused on acute or postoperative pain problems. It was the American anesthesiologist John J. ⋯ Organizational skills are also needed for efficient running of multidisciplinary pain treatment facilities. Clinical practice in surgical anesthesia means that anesthesiologists are experienced in interdisciplinary work and familiar with the advantages and dangers of team work. Despite international acceptance of the multidisciplinary approach to chronic pain, there is still a lack of appropriate facilities in the German-speaking countries, and we consider it important that anesthesiologists commit themselves to increasing general awareness of what is needed.