Everyone, regardless of income, race, gender, age, status or geographic location, should have access to effective pain management
Pain management should be delivered with an individualized, balanced approach, utilizing interdisciplinary methods – pain management is not one-size-fits-all and it is often a combination of therapies that achieves the best results
Appropriate education and training on pain management issues and treatment is vital for nurses who are often the most effective patient advocates
Patients, families, employers, colleagues and the public at large need education regarding the dramatic impact pain can have on a person’s ability to have a productive life and that there are a variety of effective ways to help manage pain
Elected officials share a responsibility to make sure that the workforce for the U.S. health care system is adequately educated and that funding is made available to address the nursing shortage
