The under-treatment of pain in the United States has been aptly described as a healthcare crisis. Untreated and under-treated pain can cause profound suffering, with effects that go beyond the physical body to reach the psychological, spiritual and social dimensions of people's lives as well.
Pain is an assault on the well-being of the whole person. Thus it calls out for multidisciplinary care, with physicians, nurses, social workers and spiritual care providers working together to address the needs of patients and families.
But pain has often been understood as a mere side effect rather than a primary focus of care. And therefore relief of pain has been put on the sidelines. A growing movement in health care recommends that pain be viewed as the "fifth vital sign" in addition to blood pressure, pulse, respiration and temperature – at the top level of any patient assessment. It is essential to check for pain in order to start treating it effectively.