Prompt Cast
The Challenges of Measuring and Managing Pain
TLDR Pain scales are used by doctors to assess pain levels, but accurately measuring pain is difficult. Doctors rely on patients' self-reporting and their own observations, but there are challenges with subjective reporting and the potential for addiction. Different pain measurement devices and observational pain assessment techniques have been developed to improve pain care and accurately measure pain levels.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Pain scales are used by doctors to assess pain levels, but there is no physical instrument that can accurately measure pain, so doctors rely on patients' self-reporting and their own observations.
05:16
Doctors have traditionally struggled with managing pain and quantifying levels of pain, but there is a growing recognition of the need to improve pain care and accurately measure pain levels.
10:05
In the 1940s, researchers built a device called a dolarimeter to compare pregnancy pains to the intensity of heat on the back of a hand, but subsequent doctors could not reproduce the results, leading to the development of different pain measurement devices and the realization that asking people to rate their pain on a scale is the most effective method.
15:10
The development of self-reported pain scales in the 40s and their popularity in the 60s allowed patients to quantify and communicate their pain levels to doctors, although there are challenges with subjective reporting and the potential for addiction.
20:10
The use of fentanyl to cut heroin has led to an increase in overdoses, with fentanyl being a lethal addition to the dose of heroin that people are used to.
25:17
Donna Wong and Connie Baker developed a pain scale for children that uses drawings of faces to represent different levels of pain.
30:14
Pain scales can be subjective and unreliable, so doctors often have to rely on their own observations and the patient's physical reactions to assess pain levels.
35:20
Observational pain assessment involves behavioral cues such as facial expressions and sounds, which are important for accurately assessing pain levels in individuals who may not be able to report their pain accurately, such as children or those seeking drugs.
39:33
Observational pain scales involve assessing behavioral cues and physiological changes to determine pain levels, and there are specific scales for different populations, such as the CNPI checklist for cognitively impaired elderly individuals and the CRIES tool for infants.
44:36
Kids often display better attitudes and bravery in the face of pain compared to adults, which can make adults seem cynical in comparison.
Categories:
Society & Culture
