Abstract
In the last fifty years an increasing amount of scientific evidence has shown that pain is not adequately dealt in many clinical settings. This situation happens in spite of the availability of effective analgesic drugs and techniques to alleviate most of painful events and it is especially severe when postoperative, cancer or paediatric pain are considered. For some authors, it must be considered as a clear break of bioethical principles of beneficence, do-not-harm, autonomy and justice. The present article includes some thoughts regarding the compromises generated by an inadequate treatment of pain. It also describes the most frequent clinical situations that may result in a lack of fulfillment of the ethical principles cited above.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 193-198 |
| Journal | DOLOR |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2001 |
Keywords
- Bioethic principles
- Cancer pain
- Postoperative pain
- Therapeutic negligence