Healthcare staff have difficulty distinguishing pain from disgust, study finds

Most healthcare professionals can recognise pain in the face of a patient. But although 59% of doctors and nurses were able to correctly identify the facial signs of pain, other emotions scored more highly. Sadness was the most recognised emotion, with a 92% hit rate. Surprise, with 81% came next, then embarrassment (79%), anger (73%), disgust (67%), and fear (61%). “Overall, the results supported the hypothesis of a distinct and …