title: A semiotic perspective on chronic pain: implications for the interaction between patient and physician.
abstract: A semiotic conceptualization of pain in the chronic pain syndrome is proposed. It is suggested that among chronic pain patients pain ceases to be an icon or an index and acquires a symbolic structure: this transformation interferes with the usual patient-physician relationship. The semiotic perspective on the structure of meaning in the chronic pain syndrome underlines the need to include a psychotherapeutic approach in the patient-physician relationship; specific aspects of the approach to chronic pain as a symbolic communication are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Sciences Department, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Priel
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rabinowitz
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Pels
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012803:Sick Role; D012931:Social Environment