The relevance of ‘total pain’ in palliative care practice and policy

Krawczyk, M. and Richards, N. (2018) The relevance of ‘total pain’ in palliative care practice and policy. European Journal of Palliative Care, 25(3), pp. 128-130.

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Abstract

Cicely Saunders first used the term ‘total pain’ in 1964 to describe the intertwined physical, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions of pain. This radical departure from the previous understanding of pain as purely physical provided a new interdisciplinary concept that transformed medical understanding of suffering. This concept was also critical in forging the specialty of palliative care. Marian Krawczyk and Naomi Richards propose that a decades-long lack of inquiries into the concept of total pain has led to a knowledge gap and disparity in understanding between clinicians, and that a deeper understanding of total pain is a priority for the evolution of palliative care practice and policy.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Richards, Dr Naomi and Krawczyk, Dr Marian
Authors: Krawczyk, M., and Richards, N.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social & Environmental Sustainability
Journal Name:European Journal of Palliative Care
Publisher:Hayward Medical Communications Ltd.
ISSN:1352-2779
ISSN (Online):1352-2779
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