A New Era of Pain Management: Finding the Moral Frameworks

Abstract

Treating the pain of those who suffer has long been held as a moral obligation of nurses. But which moral frameworks support pain management in an era of opioid abuse, increased patient autonomy, and moral pluralism? Changes in the public and professional moral viewpoint regarding pain contribute to changes in government and institutional policies and treatment protocols. New practice protocols and pain management policies may use different moral underpinnings. Moral clarity in policy and treatment protocols can prevent confusion over what is right for patients with pain, thus preventing nurse moral distress, patient stigma, and suboptimal pain care. The aims of this presentation are 1) to introduce nurses to the moral theories/frameworks that may inform pain management policies and practice, and 2) encourage nurses to begin to ask pertinent and effective moral and ethical questions when making pain management practice and policy decisions.