Author: GBG

International Forum of Headache Nurses (IFHN) & Spanish Society for Neurology Nursing (SEDENE)

Headache Nurse Congress, Barcelona, May 23^rd & 24^th 2024

On May 23^rd and 24^th 2024, the International Forum of Headache Nurses (IFHN), in conjunction with the Spanish Society for Neurology Nursing (SEDENE), held their annual educational congress at the University Hospital Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona, Spain. This meeting was very successful with more than 40 Headache/Migraine nurses attending from seven different countries, with one of our colleagues travelling from Osaka, Japan.

The two-day meeting began with a tour of the clinical areas of the Headache Unit at Hospital Vall d’Hebron, led by Dr Patricia Pozo-Rosich, Consultant Neurologist and Director of the unit. This was followed by welcome remarks from Lali Gine (Headache Nurse host & coordinator of the meeting), who then introduced the five speakers for day one. The first four speakers were from the Headache Unit at Hospital Vall d’Hebron and the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research. Their various presentations outlined key areas of nursing care and different aspects of Headache Medicine at their centre.

The first speaker was Ms Marta Vila and she spoke about preclinical models in rodents. It is postulated that such work can help us understand more about the pathophysiology of migraine in humans. Projects at their laboratory are focussing on genetics, neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies.

Dr Pozo-Rosich then gave a more general talk about Headache burden globally and management strategies for patients in Spain. She highlighted the significant disability, economic loss and disruption to daily life as a result of migraine. She spoke of the importance of education of various healthcare professionals or HCP (including Neurologists, other Physicians and Nurses) and patients, with the primary goal being improvement of the quality of life of patients suffering from headache disorders. As is the case in many specialist centres internationally, there is a multidisciplinary approach to Headache Medicine in Spain. Dr Pozo-Rosich paid tribute to her headache nursing team (and in particular Ms Lali Gine) and emphasised the significant value and important role that specialist headache nurses have in patient care.  

Dr Edoardo Caronna (Consultant Neurologist) gave a more research focussed presentation titled “Innovation and Research”. He outlined the importance of basic laboratory research and real-world clinical evidence-based research in the ever-evolving world of Headache Medicine. He presented a summary of the more recent data on CGRP pathway inhibitors and cited several papers which help guide clinical practice at many of our centres internationally.

Ms Lali Gine then gave a clinical presentation describing the role of the Headache Nurse in Spain and how this role is growing and evolving. She spoke specifically about the work of SEDENE, who are trying to improve education and training for Headache Nurses nationally. It was very positive to hear how many neurologists across Spain are supporting this nursing initiative. A multidisciplinary approach to clinical care was also highlighted in her presentation and she specifically outlined how permanent experienced specialist nurses can lead patient care together with all other relevant HCP.

Ms Annette Rasmussen (Headache Specialist Nurse, Denmark) then delivered the International Forum of Headache Nurses (IFHN) Annual Report. The IFHN now has over 200 members from around the world and this number is growing annually. She spoke about the invaluable specialist skills that Headache Nurses bring to patient care. It is noteworthy that the European Headache Federation (EHF) has now invited the IFHN to present a nursing information session at their Meeting in Rotterdam in December 2024.  

At the end of the presentations on day one, Ms Lali Gine invited the entire group to dinner that night and this was enjoyed by all who attended. It gave an excellent opportunity for socialising and networking informally.

On day two, the first presentation was by Dr Adela Zabalegui (Advanced Nurse Practitioner Tutor and National Representative). She spoke about the clinical role of Nurse Specialists and Advanced Nurse Practitioners in Spain. She described the advances that have been made in nursing, and the impact that specialist nurses and those working in advanced practice can have on patient care. Dr Zabalegui also highlighted the need for more national resources and support so that Headache Nurse Specialists and Advanced Nurse Practitioners continue to be recognised and encouraged.

Ms Jennifer Trouerbach (Headache Specialist Nurse, Netherlands) and Ms Annette Rasmussen led the next session exploring what the ideal headache nurse model should be in terms of staffing and the nursing roles. A round table small group session followed thereafter. Representatives from each group spoke about what they felt were the most important roles of the headache nurse with education, knowledge, active listening and empathy being some of the areas highlighted.

Finally, Ms Trouerbach, Ms Rasmussen, Ms Gine and Ms Gravdahl (Headache Specialist Nurse, Norway) presented some interesting and challenging clinical cases and case reports. The participants discussed the case reports in small mixed groups and interesting discussions followed on stage with one representative from each group in plenary setting.

The meeting closed at lunchtime and special thanks was given to Ms Lali Gine, Dr Pozo-Rosich and all the Headache Team at Hospital Vall d’Hebron, for their work in organizing a very educational and rewarding meeting that was enjoyed by all who attended. A special word of thanks was given to the Board of the International Forum of Headache Nurses (IFHN): Jennifer Trouerbach, Annette Rasmussen, Gøril Bruvik Gravdahl, Esther Tomkins (Headache Specialist Nurse, Ireland) and Susie Lagrata (Advanced Headache Nurse Practitioner, UK) for their support in coordinating the meeting.

Dear headache nurses members of the IFHN.

We are very pleased to announce our next international meeting in IFHN in collaboration with the Spanish headache nurses in Barcelona in May 2024.

The meeting starts at 11.00 May 23^rd, and finishes at 15.00 May 24^th.

Address of the hospital: Vall d’Hebron Hospital. Pg. de la Vall d’Hebron, 119, 08035. Barcelona

Suggestion for a hotel 5 minutes’ walk to the hospital: Hotel Alimara Carrer de Berruguete, 126, 08035. Barcelona.

We would appreciate your confirmation of attendance as soon possible and latest at March 1^st 2024.

You will meet headache nurses from many countries and we will empower each other with knowledge!

If you want to join, please register as a member on this web-site. All our member will receive a personal invitation with contact details.

Preliminary program

Day 1 -23/05/2023

• 11:00 – 11:30 – Café

• 11:30 – 11:45 – Welcome and introduction

• 11:45 – 12:45 – Migraine, a public brain disease – Dr. Patricia Pozo Rosich

Migraine is a highly prevalent, underdiagnosed, undertreated, and stigmatized disease. In this talk, Dr. Pozo will talk to us about the ideal model to treat not only our patients but also migraine as a concept and as a general problem of society. In addition to offering certain keys to treating migraine from the innovative model of precision medicine.

• 12:45 – 13:30 – Preclinical models – Neuroscientist Marta Vila Pueyo

Preclinical models are a crucial tool to improve the understanding of human pathologies. In the field of headache, there are several validated preclinical models in rodents that are routinely being used to understand different aspects of the disease and to uncover new therapeutic targets. In the animal adaptive brain laboratory, we are currently using a nitroglycerin-induced chronic migraine model to assess the impact of several stressful situations in the development of orofacial allodynia and CGRP expression.

• 13:30 – 14:30 – Lunch

• 14:30 – 15:00- Innovation and research in migraine – Dr. Edoardo Caronna

For some years now, there has been a lot of research into headaches and migraines. Dr. Caronna will talk about new diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for migraine and what are the moonshots for the coming years.

• 15:00 – 15:30 – Evolution of headache nurses in Spain and SEDENE –  Nurse Lali Giné

For relatively few years now, headache nurses have been developing their care activities in headache units. We will talk about the evolution of these nurses, the different models of nurses that exist in Spain and the scientific society that supports these new roles.

• 15:30 – 16:00 – Annual report IFHN – President of IFHN Annette Vangaa Rasmussen

• 16:00 – 16:30 – Coffee

• 16:30 – 17:30 – Visit to the Headache Unit

On this visit, we will be able to see the facilities of the migraine adaptive brain center, of the Vall d’Hebron Hospital. It combines healthcare activities with research in patients suffering from headaches.

• Barcelona tour and dinner

Day 2 – 24/05/2023

• 08:30 – 09:00- Good morning café

• 09:00 – 10:00 – APRN in Spain and nursing now program – PhD/nurse Adela Zabalegui

The APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) is at different levels depending on the country. Adela Zabalegui will explain how the APRN model is developing in Spain, what legal situation it is in and what the future steps are for the consolidation of the APRN. She will also talk to us about the importance of clinical research in nursing and different European supports for research.

• 10:00 – 11:00 – Discussion of the attendees on what the ideal headache nurse model is and  should be like – Jennifer Trouerbach/Annette Vangaa Rasmussen/Teresa Marco/Lali Giné /Gøril Bruvik Gravdahl

In this workshop, we will separate the attendees by country at different tables. First, we are going to discuss the tasks in separate tables, and a representative of each table will explain the tasks carried out by headache nurses. Then the ideals of headache nurses in each country will be explained. The objective of this workshop is to have a general idea of what the colleagues do and try to contribute new ideas to incorporate them into different healthcare practices.

• 11:00 -11:30 – Coffee

• 11:30 – 12:30 – Workshop on clinical cases/case reports – Jennifer Trouerbach/

Annette Vangaa Rasmussen/ Teresa Marco/Lali Giné /Gøril Bruvik Gravdahl

Topics: medication overuse headache, chronic migraine and refractory cases.

In this workshop, we will propose different clinical cases, one different per table. Following that, each table will present their clinical case and how they would approach it. Together we will debate different visions to offer the best care to the patients of the cases.

• 12:30 – 13:00 – Closing and farewell – Jennifer/Annette/Teresa/Lali

• 13:00 – 14:30 – Lunch

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.

We look so much forward to seeing as many nurses as possible in Seoul.

The program is set and we are all exited to share experiences and get inspired.

If you are not participating in person, IHS will live-stream and record all sessions to be available post-congress.

IFHN is very pleased and thankful to inform you, that IHS will arrange for non-registered nurses to join virtually on the day.

Moreover, IFHN will be given access to the recording of the IFHN session to share freely among our members post-event.

Not yet a member?

Please register here on the website https://headachenurse.org/  under ”about” here under ”membership”.

IFHN will be present at the forthcoming headache congress in Seoul, Korea on 14^th-17^th September 2023.

In a parallel session on Friday 15^th September at 11.15 pm we look forward to sharing experiences and getting inspired with the overall topic of the session: 

Utilising headache nurses globally in reducing the global burden of headache

We hope to see you there. In the meantime please learn more about the congress on the IHC website IHC 2023 – Home

To welcome 2023, the members of the board of the International Forum for Headache Nurses (IFHN) met for a face-to-face work retreat aiming to map out plans for future activities of IFHN. The three days work retreat held in Trondheim, Norway, was an effective way for the board members to step out of daily routines and immerse in an environment in which time and energy have been spent and focussed on plans and programmes that aims to benefit the forum and beyond. 

Uninterrupted time was spent brainstorming and updating focussed on the subject matter – improving headache care and nurse empowerment. 

The relaxing ambience and rapport between board members sparked new imaginative ideas and creativity to keep the energy and momentum of the forum. 

But it was so much more than a productive meeting. It was also an opportunity to visit the world-renowned Norwegian centre for headache research, NorHead, at St Olav’s Hospital. It was also a much-needed meeting to relax, laugh, network and reconnect. 

Over the four days of September 8-11, 2022, Migraine Trust, the largest research and support charity for people affected by migraine in the UK, brought the Migraine Trust International Symposium (MTIS) to bring together headache experts, scientists, clinicians, practitioners and specialists from all over the world. The conference held at London Hilton Metropole was run in conjunction with the most important stakeholder: headache patients, particularly those with migraine, and those who care for them.

The conference Chair, Professor Peter Goadsby, delivered the opening remarks, which marked the formal opening of the return to an in-person meeting for the Migraine Trust International Symposium – emphasizing the importance of better migraine care. This was followed by one of the highlights of the conference – the MacDonald Critchley Lecture given by one of the pioneers and giants of the headache world, Professor Lars Edvinson. Professor Edvinson talked about CGRP and gepants on sex hormones and migraine. CGRP was the dominating subject of the conference, from plenary lectures to abstract presentations and satellite lectures.

The second day of the conference has a somewhat sombre mood as the world bid goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II. The conference delegates paid their respect by observing a minute silence before the day started. After that, the day was filled with exciting and cutting-edge topics, such as discoveries in mechanisms, new treatments and information on the impacts of migraine. MTIS’s peak moment was when Professor Rigmor Jensen took to the stage to give her speech on Highs and Lows in Headache as she finally and rightly joined the roster of giants of headache medicine who delivered the Migraine Trust Lecture. She ended her lecture by inviting the audience to join as one choir to sing happy birthday to the legendary Professor Jes Olesen!

Although there was no dedicated session for headache nurses, the members of the International Forum for Headache Nurses board were present at the event. We took this opportunity to meet and network with our members.

The last day of MTIS was when Patient Day was held, where members of the public had a chance to listen to presentations and were given the opportunity to ask questions to leading migraine specialists.

The 18th Migraine Trust International Symposium (MTIS) will be held in London this year from 8 September to 11 September 2022. Although there is no dedicated session for headache nurses this year, the members of the board of the International Forum of Headache Nurses (IFHN) will be attending this in-person conference at London Hilton Metropole to hear from the world’s leading experts on migraine and headache. 

We invite all our members and non-members to approach us if you see anyone of us during these four-day events. We will hugely welcome a conversation and discussion with our fellow headache nurses and health care professionals in the world of headache.

The International Headache Society and European Headache Federation joined forces for the 20th International Headache Congress (IHC). The event from 8-12 September 2021 was the first fully digital International headache congress. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic that swept the globe, the original plan of a face-to-face meeting in Berlin, Germany, was reformatted to an entirely virtual congress. With its central theme, Headache Science to optimise patient care, the event was attended by almost 2000 delegates from over 90 countries. The five-day event was filled by a truly diverse program, including a session hosted by the International Forum of Headache Nurses (IFHN) on September 9, 2022. The session expertly hosted by Jennifer Trouerbach-Kraan from Leiden, Netherlands, was attended by 257 live participants.

The first speaker was Ms Maureen Moriarty, the Malek School of Nursing Professions director in Arlington, Virginia. Ms Moriarty’s talk was focused on the training for nurses caring for people with headaches called the BRIDGE program. The BRIDGE program, established in 2012, is a comprehensive headache education program designed for nurse practitioners and physician assistants in primary care in America sponsored by the American Headache Society. She went through BRIDGE’s journey from its inception to its delivery to approximately 500-600 providers. It was followed by a talk by Malene Kjærgaard Danoe, a headache nurse specialist at the Danish Headache Centre, Glostrup, Denmark. Ms Danoe presented her work on how the patient’s perception of illness evolves during treatment with CGRP antibodies. She presented her findings relevant to today’s practice with the dawn of the CGRP monoclonal antibody treatments for migraine.

The last topic of the IFHN session was about Medication Overuse Headache (MOH) and the introduction of detox presented by Syta Vissers, headache nurse from The Headache Centre, Haarlem, Netherlands. Syta Vissers started her talk by discussing medication overuse headaches, including its definition, clinical presentation, and most effective treatment – the withdrawal of medication being overused or “detox”. She then enumerated the importance and rationale of analgesia withdrawal or detox. In particular, she discussed the “detox” advice they implement in the Netherlands and how they support their patient during “detox”. They have been using the Detox Mobile app, a new electronic tool that gives the patient more confidence and the possibility to connect with fellow patients should they wish in the future. This electronic app is still exclusive and available only for the patients attending their headache centre.

It was a very successful and highly interactive session with questions asked live, albeit digitally. Jennifer masterfully chaired the session and moderated the question-and-answer part exceptionally well. She ended the session by thanking the speakers and attendees, but most especially the congress board, who generously agreed that members of IFHN could attend this session as a stand-alone course, free of charge, without the need to subscribe or register for the entire congress.

Unfortunately, the first few moments of the recording are without audio due to technical difficulties.

It is a privilege for us to announce that the congress board has agreed that members of IFHN can attend this session as a stand-alone course free of charge with no full registration to the entire congress.

If not yet a member, please sign up on this website.

IFHN session Thursday 9^th September at 11.15-12.45 CET.

Title: International Forum for Headache Nurses

Chair: J. Trouerbach-Kraan (Leiden/NL)

11.15-11.25 Welcome and Introduction to the forum and today’s session

11.25-11.50 Training for nurses caring for people with headache, M. Moriarty (Virginia/US)

11.50-12.15 How does the patient’s perception of illness evolve during treatment with CGRP antibodies? M. Kjærgaard Danoe (Glostrup/DK)

12.15-12.40 Medication Overuse Headache, introduction to a detox app, S. Vissers (Haarlem/NL)

12.40-12.45 Closing remarks, J. Trouerbach-Kraan (Leiden/NL)

Members are able to listen to the lectures for free through receiving a link that will be available and sent to you days before the conference.

The International Headache Congress is scheduled for 8-12 September, 2021.