Pain has a signaling function. Something's wrong. If pain continues, that function is lost and not only the condition must be treated but also the pain must be controlled.
Doctors should ask about pain at every consultation. Unfortunately, that's not happening at the moment. Most medical specialists have no training in pain and do not know how to treat pain. They are mainly aimed at life-extending actions. Research shows that two-thirds of medical oncologists do not ask about pain. Not during the first consultation, but also not at a later stage.
Discuss pain complaints
Doctors have less and less time for their patients. Only a certain number of minutes may be spent on a consultation. Yet pain should always be part of the conversation. “Those who have no pain live longer, are happier and have a better quality of life,” says anesthesiologist and professor Prof. Kris Vissers. As far as he is concerned, ensuring that people are not in pain is a task for all doctors and nurses.
Research
Pain management is a young profession. When Vissers wanted to become a pain specialist in 1987, the profession did not yet exist. A lot of research is being done and there are many developments. Nevertheless, not every general practitioner or medical specialist knows how to find the pain specialist. That's a shame because in many cases the pain can be relieved. And if that is not the case, further research is needed. That is why Vissers calls on patients to participate in medical research. Only when it becomes clear that pain is a major and growing problem will more money become available for scientific research.
Directive
In addition, doctors need to delve more into pain and pain management. “They must not only read the guideline but also apply it,” says Vissers. If they do not do this, the patient has every right to indicate that there is a guideline and that they expect the doctor to help them.
Communication
Everything stands or falls with good communication. Good communication between general practitioners, medical specialists and pain specialists and good communication between patient and practitioner. “If the doctor doesn't ask, bring it up yourself.” More and more is possible, but patients are often only referred when the pain is unbearable.
Doctors have less and less time for their patients. Only a certain number of minutes may be spent on a consultation. Yet pain should always be part of the conversation.
“Those who have no pain live longer, are happier and have a better quality of life,” says anesthesiologist and professor Prof. Kris Vissers. As far as he is concerned, ensuring that people are not in pain is a task for all doctors and nurses.
Those who have no pain live longer, are happier and have a better quality of life