How to achieve effective pain management

Pain is a common problem in a wide range of conditions encountered by nurses in every setting. Despite the availability of knowledge about effective pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to pain management, patients still experience uncontrolled pain. This article, the first of six examining how pain control can be made more effective, explores how a basic misunderstanding of approaches to pain relief can lead to ineffective care. The author suggests that improved education and cooperation among professionals can lead to improved pain management.