Profiles and perspectives of the leading contributors in the field of pain

Abstract

Objective: To identify the most influential living researchers and clinicians in the field of pain and to obtain their perspective on future directions in pain research, treatment and prevention, and education. Design: A survey of a random sample of members of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) followed by the administration of an open-ended questionnaire to the identified leaders about future directions in pain research, treatment and prevention, and education. Results: Eight of the 10 individuals identified as leaders in the field by our sample of IASP members responded to our questions. These were (in alphabetical order): Allan Basbaum, John D. Loeser, Ronald Melzack, Harold Merskey, Russell Portenoy, Dennis Turk, Patrick Wall, and Clifford Woolf. Conclusion: The background and views of the leading contributors about the current state of and future directions in research and clinical issues should serve to stimulate new research as well as assist discussions about clinical practice and approaches to clinical education.