Abdominal and Pelvic Pain SIG

Chairs:

Aaron Mickle, PhD	Lakeisha Lewter, PhD
University of Florida	The University of Texas at Dallas

The mission of the US Association for the Study of Pain (USASP) Abdominal and Pelvic Pain Special Interest Group (APP SIG) is to advance the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and management of abdominal and pelvic pain by promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, research, education, and advocacy.

We are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals suffering from abdominal and pelvic pain by fostering a network of healthcare professionals, researchers, and allied professionals who specialize in this area. Through our collective expertise, we strive to provide evidence-based and patient-centered approaches to pain management, while continuously exploring innovative strategies to improve outcomes and reduce the burden of pain in these regions.

Key principles that guide our efforts include:

Collaboration: We facilitate collaboration among healthcare professionals, researchers, patients, and experts in the field of abdominal and pelvic pain to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and promote interdisciplinary approaches to study pain.

Research: We actively support and encourage research initiatives focused on abdominal and pelvic pain, aiming to expand the knowledge base, improve diagnostic methods, refine treatment options, and develop innovative interventions for effective pain management. We intend to support trainees by informing them about training, job, and funding opportunities in the abdominal and pelvic pain field.

Advocacy: We advocate for improved access to compassionate and equitable care for individuals affected by abdominal and pelvic pain. We strive to raise awareness, influence public policy, and engage with relevant stakeholders to address the unique needs and challenges faced by these patients. We aim to bridge the gap between patients, researchers, and healthcare professionals.

By fulfilling our mission, we aim to make a significant impact on the field of abdominal and pelvic pain, improve the lives of individuals affected by these conditions, and contribute to the overall advancement of pain research and care.

Upcoming Meetings

Meeting Schedule: Our meetings will be held on the third Friday of each month from December 2023 through March 2024 (Dec 15^th, Jan 19^th, Feb 16^th and March 15^th). We are open to extending these meetings beyond March if there is a continued interest.

Time: 1:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

The meeting format will be structured to provide a valuable experience for both our trainees and seasoned researchers:

Trainee Presentation: Each meeting will feature one trainees, such as students or postdoc and an established or early career investigator. They will have the opportunity to present their ongoing research for 10-15 minutes.

Collaborative Discussion: Following each presentation, we will allocate 10-15 minutes for open discussion. This period will be dedicated to sharing insights, asking questions, and offering constructive feedback, creating a collaborative environment.

Additionally, we welcome individuals who wish to present recent journal articles relevant to our field.

In emphasizing the importance of mentorship and collaboration, we believe these meetings will provide a valuable experience for our trainees. It will empower them to showcase their work while fostering stronger connections and potential collaboration between PIs. If you are interested in having your laboratory present their work in one of our meetings or would like to attend, please fill out this short survey. This will help us schedule the presentations and gauge interest.

We believe that these gatherings will be an excellent opportunity to foster collaboration, share knowledge, and strengthen our community within the abdominal and pelvic pain research community in both pre-clinical and clinical pursuits.

Your active participation will be greatly appreciated, and we look forward to your involvement in making these meetings a success.