Narrative, Pain, and Suffering

Abstract

Vol. 34 D Carr, J Loeser, D Morris, eds. IASP Press, Seattle, Washington, 2005, 364 pages, $89.00, ISBN 0-931092-57-4 Listen up! Laboratories and rays do not tell the story. All physicians should have this book for the insights and guidance it provides. Good doctors and healers and popular alternative medicine practitioners, of whatever variety, have one characteristic in common—they really listen. This volume explains why and how medical students and practitioners, particularly in the field of pain medicine, should improve their ability to elicit the true story from each patient and improve their own clinical performance. Interest in the stories of patients has always been important, perhaps more so in the fields of medicine with a less secure evidence base and fewer diagnostic laboratory studies. However, interest in narrative has had a renaissance in pain medicine. This is evidenced by increasing attendance in formal and informal discussions at pain meetings. A formal workshop in Bellagio, Italy, was convened in October 2003 to explore the issues of narrative, pain, and suffering. This volume is the result of this conference. Three of the wisest men in pain medicine and the humanities have edited this volume, to make it comprehensive, readable, educational, challenging, and enjoyable. Daniel Carr is an anesthesiologist with a long history of intellectual and practical contributions to the scientific basis and practice of pain medicine. These range from publications on fundamental biochemistry to evidence-based pain practice guidelines. His perspectives and opinions are widely sought and highly regarded, and he has had an enduring impact on the development of pain medicine in medical schools, graduate schools, and in the community. John Loeser is a neurosurgeon at the University of Washington. He was trained in and continues to advance the multidisciplinary model of pain medicine put into practice at that institution by John Bonica all those years ago. He has not just moved with the times; he has been and still …