President Message
Message from the Founder President Prof V Rastogi
Pain Medicine is relatively a new concept not only in India but also worldwide. The journey started with the introduction of concept of Pain Clinics and the Pain Research and Therapy by Dr. J.J. Bonica , the father of Pain Medicine. Initially the focus was on development of clinical services and Research in the Field of Pain and education. In Indian perspective, evolution started with the formation of the ‘Indian Society for Study of Pain’ in order to bring Pain Physicians at one platform with a multidisciplinary and multi professional vision similar to ‘International Association of Study of Pain (IASP)’.
After a period of 30 years in the year 2015 and after the start of structural training in the form of one-year Post-Doctoral Certificate Courses (PDCC) In Pain management at the Banaras Hindu University in 2008, a need for a society of formally trained super-specialist Pain Physicians was felt. In view of this, the Indian Society of Pain Clinicians was created in the year 2015 and Pain Medicine Specialists with ‘formal, in-house training’, which was PDCC (Post-Doctoral Certificate Course) in Pain Management at that time, were made members of this niche body. This was just a start and currently PDCC, PDAF, FNB and DM degrees in Pain Medicine are being awarded by various medical Institutions /Universities and NBEMS and are members of ISPC.
Prof. V. Rastogi. Founder President
Varanasi
Pain Medicine is relatively a new concept not only in India but also worldwide. The journey started with the introduction of concept of Pain Clinics and the Pain Research and Therapy by Dr. J.J. Bonica , the father of Pain Medicine. Initially the focus was on development of clinical services and Research in the Field of Pain and education. In Indian perspective, evolution started with the formation of the ‘Indian Society for Study of Pain’ in order to bring Pain Physicians at one platform with a multidisciplinary and multi professional vision similar to ‘International Association of Study of Pain (IASP)’.
After a period of 30 years in the year 2015 and after the start of structural training in the form of one-year Post-Doctoral Certificate Courses (PDCC) In Pain management at the Banaras Hindu University in 2008, a need for a society of formally trained super-specialist Pain Physicians was felt. In view of this, the Indian Society of Pain Clinicians was created in the year 2015 and Pain Medicine Specialists with ‘formal, in-house training’, which was PDCC (Post-Doctoral Certificate Course) in Pain Management at that time, were made members of this niche body. This was just a start and currently PDCC, PDAF, FNB and DM degrees in Pain Medicine are being awarded by various medical Institutions /Universities and NBEMS and are members of ISPC.
Secretary:
Dr Nimisha Verma:2015-17
Dr Anurag Agrawal:2017-23
Prof. Ajit Kumar: 2024-Onward
Conference:
Inaugural Conference ISPC:2015: IMS, BHU, Varanasi: Dr. Nimisha Verma
2nd Conference ISPC:2016: GMC, Chandigarh: Dr Deepak Thapa
3nd Conference ISPC: 2017: MGM Medical College, Mumbai: Dr Siddarth Verma
4th Conference ISPC: 2018: Dr RMLIMS, Lucknow: Dr Anurag Agarwal
5th Conference ISPC:2019: AIIMS, New Delhi: Dr Virender K Mohan
2020,2021,2022: No Conference because of COVID Pandemic
6th Conference ISPC: 3-5Nov.2023: KGMU Lucknow: Dr Sarita Singh
7th Conference ISPC: 13-15Sept.2024: AIIMS Rishikesh: Prof. Ajit Kumar (To be held)
Indian Journal of Pain Clinician:
Ist Issue:2015: Dr Nimisha Verma/Dr V Rastogi
2nd Issue:2016: Dr Nimisha Verma/Dr V Rastogi
Teaching Post in Pain Medicine
Creation of Faculty position in Govt. Medical Colleges in Uttar Pradesh has set a mile stone in development of Pain Medicine in India.
Current Status of Pain Medicine in PMSSY /TPA
In recent years the Pain Medicine has got recognition by the patients and the care givers and also the Government of India. The Pain procedures are included in the PMSSY scheme to be performed by the Pain Medicine Specialist setting a mile stone in the development of Pain Medicine. Side by side the TPA has also included Pain Procedures in the list of treatment covered by the TPA (Table) so that their client to avail latest treatment in the field of Pain Medicine.
Professional Indemnity Cover
Increase in practice of Pain Medicine especially exposed to the risk of litigation. The various insurance companies are covering the litigation arising from the practice of Interventional Pain Management and agreed to mention Pain Medicine specialist performing Interventional Pain Management.
President's Message
It is a great honour and privilege for me to serve as the President of the Indian Society of Pain Clinicians (ISPC). I extend my warm greetings to all our esteemed members, colleagues, and stakeholders who are dedicated to the noble cause of pain relief and patient care.
The ISPC was founded in 2015-16 under the able leadership and guidance of mentors and learned teachers in pain medicine, Prof. Virendra Rastogi and Prof. Anil Agarwal. They are also credited with starting the one-year structured pain training course at BHU Varanasi and SGPGI Lucknow.
Pain continues to be one of the most prevalent and challenging health concerns worldwide. Despite significant advancements in medicine, many patients still suffer due to a lack of awareness, limited access to specialised care, and under-treatment. As a professional body, ISPC remains committed to addressing these gaps by promoting excellence in pain management through education, research, and collaboration.
Dr. Sarita Singh
(Professor & Faculty Incharge Pain Medicine)
Department of Anesthesiology, SGPGIMS
It gives immense pleasure that many institutions of national importance, e.g., AIIMS, government medical institutions, universities, and affiliated medical colleges, have started certificate courses, pain fellowships, and DM in pain medicine.
One of our key focuses is to strengthen academic engagement among our members. In line with this vision, I am pleased to share a new initiative undertaken during my tenure—the introduction of web-based teaching programs. This platform aims to provide clinicians across the country with accessible, continuous, and high-quality learning opportunities, regardless of geographic barriers. Through regular online sessions, expert lectures, and case-based discussions, we hope to empower practitioners with updated knowledge and practical skills in pain medicine.
Education and training are the pillars of our society. ISPC continues to organise conferences, workshops, and CME programs that facilitate knowledge exchange and hands-on learning. We are also dedicated to nurturing young clinicians by encouraging their active participation in academic and research activities.
Research remains an integral part of our mission. By promoting evidence-based practices and supporting scientific work, we aim to enhance the quality of pain care delivered across diverse healthcare settings. At the same time, we are actively working to raise public awareness about the importance of timely pain management and to eliminate the stigma often associated with chronic pain conditions.
Our vision is to build a strong, inclusive, and forward-looking society that not only supports its members but also significantly improves patient outcomes. Together, we can make pain relief more accessible, effective, and compassionate.
I sincerely thank all members of ISPC for their continued trust and support. Let us move forward with renewed enthusiasm and commitment to excellence.
Warm regards,
Dr. Sarita Singh
Past President's Message
I extend my sincere thanks to all Indian Society of Pain Clinicians (ISPC) members and my seniors and mentors for electing me as president and allowing me to serve the Indian Society of Pain Clinicians. The ISPC was founded in 2015-16 under the leadership and able guidance of the mentors and learned teachers in pain medicine, Prof. Virendra Rastogi and Prof. Anil Agarwal. They are also credited with starting the one-year structured pain training course at BHU Varanasi and SGPGI Lucknow. It gives immense pleasure that many institutions of national importance, e.g., AIIMS, government medical institutions, universities, and affiliated medical colleges, have started certificate courses, pain fellowships, and DM in pain medicine.
Indian Society of Pain Clinicians was instituted to bring all the trained pain clinicians and their mentors from India and abroad under one umbrella to facilitate interaction and sharing of knowledge, propagate evidence-based pain practices, promote research activities, and, more importantly, target and provide pain relief to the person suffering from various causes of chronic pain. Indian Society of Pain Clinicians has successfully organized several CMEs and workshops since its inception. The society has successfully organized annual conferences since
Dr. Sujeet Gautam
(Professor)
Department of Anesthesiology, SGPGIMS
2016 at BHU Varanasi ( Prof. Virendra Rastogi), GMC Chandigarh (Prof. Thapa), MGMC Mumbai (Dr. Sidharth Verma), RMLIMS Lucknow (Prof. Anurag Agarwal), AIIMS New Delhi ( Prof. Virender K Mohan)and Prof. Sarita Singh (KGMU Lucknow) .In the current academic calendar (2024), the ISPC will organize its annual national conference at the AIIMS Rishikesh under the able leadership of Prof. Ajit Kumar. The ISPC is continuously working on upgrading its footprints on social media, and young enthusiastic, and tech-savvy members are putting their sincere efforts into bringing desirable changes to the ISPC website. The ISPC hopes that the sincere efforts and energy of present office bearers of the society, all esteemed ISPC members, and continuing able guidance of all the senior members will enable the ISPC to grow and achieve its mission.
Long live ISPC!
Prof. (Dr.) Sujeet Gautam