[slfnflctd]

There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding among policymakers and even medical staff about how this stuff works in the real world.

If people are in pain, and professionals are shaming them - basically saying 'suck it up, sissy' - when they dare to mention this, what do you they're going to do? I can guarantee you a great many will seek relief on their own terms, i.e. alcohol (cheap and available nearly everywhere!) and street drugs-- with doctors & their staff at that point being completely cut out of the loop. Are you going to tell your dentist that you drank vodka to dull the pain after your root canal? Mostly no. Is that better for you than hydrocodone? Unless you have other non-standard risk factors, also no.

I fail to see how this is better than honest dialogue between doctor & patient where each person's treatment is realistically considered on an individual basis. By all means withhold inappropriate, ineffective and dangerous treatments-- but tell your patients what you're doing & why, and don't lose sight of how they actually behave in response to this. Sometimes that response is far worse than whatever you're trying to save them from.

[FireBeyond]

For sure. If a patient of mine as an EMS provider is exhibiting physiological signs of pain I believe it is inhumane and unethical to withhold analgesia. There may be discussion of the appropriate medication, but nonetheless, we have options. That being said if you are complaining of 10/10 pain while I am interrupting you texting to conduct my exam, I may be more skeptical...