title: Chronic pain: a difficult problem.
abstract: The author discusses the general problem of the small but significant population of people in whom pain persists for months or years after a precipitating event, such as a hand injury. The nature of pain, the perception of pain, and characteristics of chronic pain patients are discussed, as well as evaluation and treatment of chronic pain.
authors.affiliation: Scripps Memorial Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, Encinitas, CA 92037.
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Chaplin
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation