The Quality of Mercy

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, . . .