Vol. 48, No. 8, September 2003

Lost Productivity, Psychosocial Damage Are Costs

Pain: Not Only a Health Care Problem

No profession has claimed in a major way the psychosocial aspects of pain management.

By John V. O’Neill, MSW, News Staff

Illustration: John Michael Yanson

More than 50 million Americans suffer from persistent pain, most of which goes untreated, undertreated or improperly treated, although most pain can be greatly eased with proper management, says the American Pain Foundation.

The results are needless agonizing suffering, billions of dollars in lost productivity and tremendous psychosocial damage, including depression, disability, anxiety, diminished self-worth, family discord, social isolation and even suicide.

What has social work’s response been to such a broad health care and social problem? Minimal, say social work experts in treatment of pain and end-of-life issues.

While physicians and nurses in recent years have paid more attention to symptom management for pain, no profession has claimed in a major way the psychosocial aspects of pain management as its own, say health care social workers.

The result is a wide-open field ideally suited for social workers who are trained to look at individuals from a holistic, person-in-environment perspective, experts say. The demand and need for social workers is great.

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From September 2003 NASW News. © 2003 National Association of Social Workers. All rights reserved. NASW News articles may be copied for personal use, but proper notice of copyright and credit to the NASW News must appear on all copies made. This permission does not apply to reproduction for advertising, promotion, resale, or other commercial purposes.