New article on pain treatment as a human right

Tuesday, 28 June 2011 11:04

In the June issue of World Neurology, the Official Newsletter of the World Federation of Neurology, an article appeared on pain treatment as a human right. It was written by Dr. Andrea Pace from Italy, one of the participants of the January 2011 IFHHRO pain meeting.

In the article, Dr. Pace summarises the proceedings of the meeting and applied its findings to the context of neurology. He states for example that improved education and training in pain and palliative care is necessary for neurologists:

"The literature confirms that neurologists involved in the management of patients with brain tumors and motor neuron disease have insufficient knowledge about pain treatment, supportive and palliative care, and end-of-life treatment decisions, all of which are also necessary for management of patients with degenerative neurological diseases such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and advanced multiplesclerosis."

The article concludes that medical associations have an important role to play to support pain treatment as a human right, and that both pain management and palliative care should be included in the mandatory medical and nursing curricula, and continuing medical and nursing education.

Pain Treatment as a Human Right, Dr. Andrea Pace. World Neurology, Vol. 26, No. 3, June 2011

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