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Empathy and the failure to treat pain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 May 2007

STEVEN D. PASSIK ,
KAREN BYERS  and
KENNETH L. KIRSH
STEVEN D. PASSIK
Affiliation:
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
KAREN BYERS
Affiliation:
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
KENNETH L. KIRSH
Affiliation:
Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
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Abstract

We set out to discuss the psychological barriers that exist in the treatment of pain. Specifically, we argue that clinicians have several innate mechanisms at play that can hinder their judgment and lead to erroneous assumptions about their patients. Issues are discussed from social psychological and psychodynamic perspectives. A focus is placed on the issue of empathy and how this, too, can act as a barrier to rational judgment when evaluating patients. In the face of growing scrutiny on pain management in the United States, it is important to understand the barriers to providing care that already exist on an intrinsic level. Through the exploration of these barriers, clinicians might be better able to reflect on their own practice. Ultimately, we hope to push forward an agenda of rational therapy in pain management that utilizes safeguards against abuse and addiction while also preserving treatment modalities for patients in need of services.

Keywords

PainEmpathyUndertreatmentBarriers
Type
COMMENTARY
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 5 , Issue 2 , June 2007 , pp. 167 - 172
Copyright
© 2007 Cambridge University Press

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