Humanising Values to be Considered when Managing Pain

Humanising values are a set of dimensions which are aimed at reminding us of what it is to be human. The humanising values are taken from a framework that was developed and described by Todres et al (2009).
‘Why do we need this reminder when we are considering the management of pain?’

‘Because pain is something we feel as individuals. We find it difficult; to describe, to quantify to understand and it constantly changes. For these reasons it appears to be difficult to believe.’
The following are some aspects you may wish to consider when you are listening to a person’s pain story.

  • There is a need to focus on the person as an individual with a set of symptoms rather than considering the person in terms of a diagnosis for example ‘ the person with chronic pain’ – which becomes impersonal.
  • On a daily basis as individuals we make choices and decisions. For those with pain should be encouraged in fact they should feel empowered to make their own decisions about their pain management and not fail into the trap of becoming passive recipients of a treatment plan that has no meaning.
  • View those with pain as individuals and not as a homogenous group of people defined as a single diagnosis
  • Each person is unique and has a special set of qualities which within the context of health needs to be recognised and utilised.
  • It is important to recognise that pain can be a lonely experience - and the company of others may be part of the solution.
  • The nature of pain is extremely complex it is difficult for a person to make a sense of their symptoms. For people with pain this needs to be explained. For health professionals we need to be given permission to say 'the pain story is not straightforward and we do not always know the answers'.
  • Many of those with a chronic pain story have accessed numerous treatment specialities and report a lack of communication and understanding amongst professionals.

'My Journey' has highlighted how dis-jointed the approach to pelvis/back & joint problems (pain) is.... There is a desperate need for a more holistic approach where practitioners are willing (open to the idea) of secondary problems - look at the body as a whole rather than in isolation! I live in hope!' P39K (Clark 2012)
About this Resource:
This resource has been developed by the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences at Bournemouth University (BU) and funded by the BU Centre for Excellence in Learning. The contents have been developed and co-created by staff and students from BU. The site was designed by Thomas Galloway & Abraham Weiskorn, a Graphic Design Student from Portsmouth University and a Digital Media Design Student from Bournemouth University. The editors are: Dr Carol Clark Senior Academic - Physiotherapy and Dr Desi Tait Senior Academic - Nursing from Bournemouth University.

The aim of this site is to promote and facilitate inter-professional learning and collaboration in the theory and practice of pain management using a humanising approach to care (Todres et al 2009).