IFHN Session Summary from IHC in Korea

International Headache Congress (IHC) Meeting
Seoul, South Korea, September 14-17^th 2023
“Rising Sun Over Headaches”

Video of the session is available for download (1.1GB) here.

On Friday 15^th September 2023, the International Forum of Headache Nurses (IFHN) held their very well attended educational symposium at the International Headache Congress (IHC). The Forum session was chaired by headache nurse specialist Esther Tomkins (Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland). There were four very experienced international nurse specialist speakers. Their presentations outlined key areas of the role and value of headache nurses at different specialist centres around the world.    

The first speaker was MSc/nurse specialist Gøril Gravdahl (St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway) and she spoke about the prevalence and disability associated with headache conditions, and specifically referenced the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) studies.  Most importantly, these studies have highlighted that migraine is ranked as the second most disabling medical condition worldwide (non-fatal disorders). The pivotal work of the “Lifting The Burden (LTB)” campaign was also acknowledged. LTB have partnered with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and many other international and national organisations with the main goal of highlighting that Primary Headache Disorders are seen by society as “real, disabling and deserving of medical care”.

Headache nurse Kaori Tabata (Tominaga Hospital, Osaka, Japan) spoke eloquently about Headache Care in Japan. One quarter of all Japanese people suffer from headache and Kaori highlighted the significant disability, economic loss and disruption to daily life as a result of migraine. The stigma that many patients endure was also explored. As is the case in many specialist centres internationally, there is a multidisciplinary approach to headache care in Japan. The work of the Japanese Headache Patient Advocacy Coalition (JPAC) was presented, where patients and medical professionals work together to improve Headache Care in Japan.

Headache nurse specialist Jennifer Trouerbach (Leiden University Medical Centre, Netherlands) then outlined some important roles of the headache nurse in trying to reduce the burden of headache. Jennifer spoke specifically about core topics such as the importance of education, developing robust treatment plans, addressing medication overuse, providing nurse led consultations (face to face or virtual), nursing support structures, and research. One pivotal aspect of care in Leiden involves getting patients to be involved in their own management. This may be achieved by guiding self-help approaches with the patient and there is a strong emphasis on the value of keeping a detailed headache diary (electronically). A multidisciplinary approach was also highlighted and specifically how specialist Headache nurses can lead collaboration with all Healthcare Professionals (HCP) involved in patient care.

MHD/nurse specialist Susie Lagrata (National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK) spoke strongly about advancing the specialist roles of Headache nurses. The value of these specialists at Headache centres was outlined, specifically in the context of the advanced role. It was emphasized that expanding the role of the nurse was critical to providing optimal patient care. Nurse led clinics with experienced practitioners demonstrate this expanded specialist role. This includes nurse led procedure clinics and the positive impact that this can have for patients to access specialist treatments in a timely manner was also highlighted. The out-patient and in-patient specialist treatments provided and supported by these nurses include: Onabotulinum Toxin A (Botox) injections (PREEMPT Protocol), Greater Occipital Nerve Blocks (GONB), Neuromodulation, CGRP monoclonal antibodies, intravenous lidocaine and dihydroergotamine (DHE). The importance of education and research, both for patients and health professionals, was also reinforced. The key concepts of clinical mentorship and robust clinical governance were also highlighted. Susie offered advice on how to overcome barriers for nurses at Headache Centres around the world.

IFHN would like to thank IHS president, Prof. Christina Tassorelli and the IHS (International Headache Society) for inviting us to present at the meeting in Seoul. It was a very rewarding and valuable experience for all involved.