Is there an ethical duty to treat pain?

Is there an ethical duty to treat pain?

As Brennan et al. emphasize, the relief of pain is a core ethical duty in medicine. Unrelieved pain blocks enjoyment of all other human goods and values. In the words of an oncology nurse who herself suffered from chronic pain: “This malady has been the most frightening, the most humiliating, and the most difficult ordeal of my life ….

What’s the difference between ethics and pain management?

The purpose of this document is to give practitioners and policymakers some tools to use in thinking about the broad range of ethical questions pertinent to pain management. While “morality” refers generally to social conventions about right and wrong, “ethics” refers to the more theoretical and systematic understanding of the moral life.

When does moral distress occur in pain management?

Moral distress occurs in pain management nursing when nurses see patients with untreated or undertreated pain but are unable to provide adequate relief. This may occur because of the patient’s condition, inadequate treatment orders, or providers not believing the patient’s report of 8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 400 Silver Spring, MD 20910

How does the law affect the treatment of pain?

Law certainly can influence the system for good or ill; and so legal standards, including recognizing a right to treatment for pain, are significant. As Brennan et al. emphasize, the relief of pain is a core ethical duty in medicine. Unrelieved pain blocks enjoyment of all other human goods and values.

What are the principles of ethical pain management?

Ethical Pain Management. Evans ( 2000) makes the case that adhering to the principles of ethics (principlism) provides a very practical, unemotional way of making right decisions. Decisions, such as those involving pain management, can be made with thought, regard, and transparency for all involved ( Evans, 2000 ).

Why do Pain Management Nurses have moral responsibility?

This may occur because of the patient’s condition, inadequate treatment orders, or providers not believing the patient’s report of pain. Pain management nurses must have the moral self-respect and courage to deal with these situations and seek professional help when needed ( ANA, 2016, p. 26).

Do you have the right to pain management?

Conclusion: Patients do have the right to pain management, but patient rights have limits, which may interfere with other competing rights, and also rights of their physicians. Treatment of pain must be medically, ethically and economically justified.