The Quality of Mercy

Abstract

Few things a doctor does are more important than relieving pain. Yet the treatment of severe pain in hospitalized patients is regularly and systematically inadequate.^{1 2 3 4 5} One study showed that 73 per cent of patients undergoing treatment for pain continued to experience moderate to severe discomfort.² This is not for want of tools. It is generally agreed that most pain, no matter how severe, can be effectively relieved by narcotic analgesics.^{4 , 6 , 7} Why this inconsistency between what is practiced and what is possible?One consideration that limits the use of narcotics is the possibility of a variety of side effects, including drowsiness, . . .