Relieving pain and suffering is one of the fundamental goals of palliative care. This section provides access to information about pain and its management, designed primarily for professionals. Laypersons are encouraged to review this information and discuss it with their caregivers. More patient information is available here. Professional information is available in these categories:
Issues in Pain Treatment, Barriers to Care, Web Links, or search our site

The Standard of Care

"There exists a principle on which rests the human right to be free of pain and the corresponding obligation of health-care professionals to honor it. All patients are vulnerable, but none is more vulnerable than the patient in severe pain. The measure of medicine in general and of a physician in particular is ultimately their respect for the patient's right to be free of pain."

Freedom From Pain: A Matter of Rights?

T. Patrick Hill, M.A. Ca. Invest., 12 (4), 1999