Several disciplines in one treatment plan
The service combines medical specialties with clinical psychology and physiotherapy. Its approach considers physical and psychosocial factors together, with treatment adapted to the individual. At the opening, Roman Ullrich, head of anaesthesiology and intensive care at the AUVA trauma centre in Vienna, summed up the aim: “Our goal is clear: less pain, more quality of life.”
A new option for insured self-employed people
The Österreichische Gesundheitskasse’s announcement identified the centre as an additional part of care for people insured by SVS. It also included the perspective of Susanne Fiala, founder of the Selbsthilfegruppe Schmerz support group. She described members who had spent years searching for appropriate treatment and welcomed a service bringing relevant specialists together. The opening created a concrete point of access to coordinated care for a condition that can affect work, rehabilitation and everyday participation. [2]
How access to the service works
AUVA’s current service information describes an appointment-only outpatient clinic with defined referral criteria. Referrals can come through AUVA or contracted providers of the participating health insurers, including SVS. After a referral form is submitted, patients receive a pain questionnaire. Staff review the completed questionnaire before proposing an initial appointment. The first consultation includes an examination and assessment; the team then develops an individual treatment plan with the patient. This pathway makes clear that the centre is a specialist referral service, rather than a walk-in clinic.