Ethical Challenges in Chronic Pain

Kathleen Reeves; Nora Jones

doi:10.1016/j.pop.2022.01.002

Ethical Challenges in Chronic Pain

Prim Care. 2022 Sep;49(3):497-506. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2022.01.002. Epub 2022 Aug 27.

Authors

Kathleen Reeves¹, Nora Jones²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Urban Health and Population Science, Center for Urban Bioethics, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Kresge Hall Suite 320, 3220 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA. Electronic address: kreeves@temple.edu.
² Department of Urban Health and Population Science, Center for Urban Bioethics, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Kresge Hall Suite 320, 3220 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.

PMID: 36153089
DOI: 10.1016/j.pop.2022.01.002

Abstract

Health care providers are ethically obligated to provide effective management for patients suffering from chronic pain. Many patients have not had access to such management, and current bioethical principles are not sufficient to create the roadmap needed on how to improve current standard of care. Principles described in the emerging field of urban bioethics greatly enhance the toolbox available to providers regarding chronic pain management. Redefining the principles of autonomy, beneficence/nonmaleficence, and justice to agency, social justice, and solidarity is essential to having the framework needed to provide more ethical, equitable care.

Keywords: Agency; Chronic pain; Ethics; Social justice; Solidarity; Urban bioethics.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Beneficence
Bioethics*
Chronic Pain* / therapy
Humans
Personal Autonomy
Social Justice