Factors influencing the experience of pain

The experience of pain is influenced by a range of complex factors, all of which need to be taken into account if appropriate and effective care is to be provided. In this article, the third in a series of six, a range of factors that need to be considered in assessing a person's pain is discussed. These include the effect of age, previous experience of pain, gender and culture. The fourth article in the series will be published in next week's Nursing Times.