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APS Bulletin • Volume 13, Number 6, 2003

Resource Reviews

John D. Loeser, MD, Department Editor

The Truth About Chronic Pain

Reviewed by John D. Loeser, MD

Arthur Rosenfeld. New York, NY, Basic Books, 2003, 299 pages, $26 (hard cover), ISBN 0-465-07138-4

This book features 12 patient narratives, 12 provider narratives, 12 “thinkers about pain” comments, and a 5-page statement by the author about the importance of addressing pain in a compassionate and effective manner. I particularly like the author’s concluding summary, as he has distilled the essential issues in pain management from those whom he interviewed, as well as from his personal experiences.

I am not so enamored of the 36 interviews included in the book. Some are insightful and helpful; some are irrelevant or reflect people who do not understand what it means to be a chronic pain patient. The patient narratives are the most instructive of the three sets. On the other hand, as Ron Melzack has said so succinctly, “It is all about compassion.”

This is a useful book, as it highlights the role of narrative in understanding chronic pain patients. It is a useful addition to one’s patient and provider library.

Dr. Loeser is Professor on Neurological Surgery and Anesthesiology at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Reviewer content represents the opinion of the reviewer, not APS.

Please direct your suggestions for future Resource Reviews to John D. Loeser, MD, Department Editor, at jdloeser@u.washington.edu.

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