WEEK TWO

Week two in the hospital is in the Pain Medicine unit! This is apparently unique to Italy and is still a growing field. It is specialized in treating pain through the spinal cord and specific nerve regions of the body. Treating the pain more effectively helps reduce addiction to prescription medications as well as improving psychological damage that results of chronic pain. There is still a bit of “political unrest,” as the doctors say, behind this practice but there were doctors from all over Italy with us to watch procedures done.

We were able to shadow a few operations very closely this week. One involved inserting an electrode in the epidural space of the spinal column that will administer shocks to alleviate pain in the associated region. A device they compare to a pace make is also inserted to the side and works independently to deliver the currents as needed. I was able to stand right next to the doctor for a sizable portion of it, it was incredible. There are a lot of epidurals given to help pain for a few months and localized shots for a few weeks. Many skin tests are given to determine what kind of pain it is and I wish I could say more but a lot of the terms they used were in Italian and went right over my head.

It was meaningful to see how grateful the patients were to their doctor. This unit is usually a last resort if traditional means of treatment were not effective. Such a simple step can make such a big difference in the lives of many, and these doctors realized this. I am grateful to see how this specialized department is so similar yet unique in its practices and how it can benefit the world as it spreads.