Antwerp – Karel de Grote University College announced the launch of Flanders’ first postgraduate program in pain management, set to commence in September 2026. The program, helmed by Julie De Bock and developed in collaboration with MATA and the Belgian Pain Society, aims to enhance the education of nurses and other healthcare professionals in pain management, reports 24brussels.
The new course, to be offered next academic year, will provide specialized training in pain management—an area only superficially addressed in traditional nursing programs. De Bock emphasized the importance of equipping professionals with a comprehensive understanding of pain as a multifaceted issue extending beyond mere medical considerations.
“Pain is a very complex concept. Students learn about it in the Bachelor’s program in Nursing, but it remains limited,”
Training Coordinator Julie De Bock stated. The curriculum is designed to delve deeper into the science of pain, assessment methods, and various treatment strategies, encompassing both medical and holistic approaches. The program will also focus on care for diverse patient demographics, including children, the elderly, and those receiving palliative treatment.
What will KdG’s 2026 Postgraduate in Pain Management Mean for Healthcare in Flanders?
The postgraduate course will consist of four modules, intended to provide a multidisciplinary perspective on pain management. It is open to a wide range of healthcare professionals, including nurses, physiotherapists, and psychologists. Each module is designed to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application, fostering collaboration among various specialties to enhance patient care.
“We see that pain often requires a multidisciplinary approach, so it is important to offer training to different types of healthcare providers,”
De Bock explained. The program, which will kick off in September 2026, was developed alongside MATA, the Multidisciplinary Algological Teams Antwerp, which is part of the Belgian Pain Society and includes pain specialists from nearly all hospitals in the Antwerp province.
“In addition, a scientific committee of experts monitors quality, so that the training continues to meet the highest standards,”
the coordinator added. Chronic pain remains a significant health challenge in Belgium and Europe, with studies indicating that approximately one in five adults experience long-term pain that disrupts daily life and work. In 2019, the Belgian government increased support for multidisciplinary pain centres, yet experts continue to call for enhanced specialized training.
The Belgian Pain Society, established in 1974, has long advocated for education and collaboration in addressing pain management issues. In 2000, MATA was founded to consolidate the efforts of pain nurses and enhance care across hospitals in the region.
