Medical education projects, addressed to health professionals, patients, relatives and people who provide support to chronic patients, which address both acute (current) and long-term needs of the target categories.

There are different ways to deal with pain and there are different ways to regulate the emotions associated with chronic diseases. Because most patients with chronic illnesses are unable to “resolve” their persistent pain on their own and place the negative emotions associated with pain at a distance, they must find strategies to adapt to a long-term illness. Patients need to find ways to maintain their physical, emotional and spiritual health.

One of the most commonly used concepts for pain adaptation strategies in patients with chronic diseases differentiates the active and passive approach.

Active adaptation is associated with less pain, less depression, less functional impairment and a higher overall self, but also with increased adherence to therapy and its effectiveness. This type of adaptation involves, for example: problem solving, including gathering information and reorienting the problem or regulating emotion by focusing on the emotional response to the stressor.

Passive adaptation (ie avoidance and escape) is correlated with reports of greater depression, greater pain and onset activity, greater functional impairment, and lower overall self-efficacy, lower adherence.

ASPM programs are intended for patients who want to learn active adaptation strategies.

Trust in medical care addresses patients’ dependence on an external medical source for health control. They must have confidence in the therapeutic potential of modern medicine, the administration of prescription drugs and follow the advice of doctors. ASPM develops educational materials and provides access to specialized staff (health professionals) to ensure understanding of the condition and treatment regimen, developing a healthy lifestyle, adherence to medical recommendations and encouraging the doctor-patient relationship.

ASPM aims to develop e-Health solutions and applications for patients and healthcare professionals to achieve these goals.