A brief overview of the guidelines for pain management in family medicine

Abstract:

Pain is a subjective experience, influenced by physical, psychological, social, and spiritual factors. Efficient pain management should include a thorough assessment of the cause, type, severity and duration of pain, the underlying causes, any associated co-morbidities or psychological problems and choosing the appropriate medication. Pain severity is best assessed by patient self-reporting with the help of the pain analgesic scales. Current pharmacotherapy is based on the WHO concept of the three steps ladder which is universally applicable and allows flexibility in the choice and use of analgesics. Relieving suffering, or pain, is a basic physician task. Existing knowledge, choice of medication and other therapeutic procedures should enable effective pain management and relief of suffering in most patients. The pain management guidelines provide a very good framework for selecting the most appropriate pain management for each individual patient. Understanding the patient population, having a close relationship with the patients and implementing the latest treatment guidelines enables family practioners to successfully treat pain. 

Key words:
pain management; guidelines; general practice/family medicine