Ethical issues in pain management

Abstract

Aims Explain the concept of an ethical principle and how it relates to the management of pain. Some words about pain Pain experiences may include acute and chronic pain, pain from a chronic deteriorating condition, or pain as one of many symptoms of the patient receiving palliative care. Pain is not exclusively physiological but also includes spiritual, emotional and psychosocial dimensions. The goal of pain management throughout the life cycle is the same – to address the dimensions of pain and to provide maximum pain relief with minimal side effects. First,pain,whether acute or chronic, is inadequately addressed for a variety of cultural, attitudinal, educational, political, religious, and logistical reasons. Second,inadequately treated pain has major physiological, psychological,economic, and social ramifications for patients, their families and society. Third, it is within the capacity of all developed and many developing countries to significantly improve the treatment of pain. [...].