Esther I. Bernhofer, PhD, RN, PMGT-BC, CPE, Associate Professor of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio

This session will benefit all healthcare professionals interested in understanding how applying moral/ethical frameworks to the management of pain will provide for more just, safe, and effective individual treatment and pain management policies.

Since ancient times, those who cared for the sick have ascribed to a moral obligation to ease pain and suffering. So why is it that today, with the advanced science of pain management, the treatment of pain is often so enigmatic and suffering continues? In this session, we will explore what makes pain management an ethical endeavor and how understanding pain-ethics connections and using moral/ethical frameworks will help healthcare professionals provide better pain care for their patients.

At the conclusion of this activity, learners should be able to:

• Discuss what makes pain management an ethical endeavor.
• Describe at least one moral theory/framework that informs pain management policy/practice.
• Discuss practical applications of moral/ethical theories that could improve pain management practice and policies.