Pain: its experience and treatments.
Recent sociological research about pain, in particular chronic pain, is part of a broader current of sociological inquiry into the problems raised by chronic illnesses. This inquiry is organized around two major axes: the relationship between chronic illnesses and medical work and the patient's experience of chronic illness. The first two parts of this article examine the place of research on pain in, and its contribution to, the sociological literature. The third part, based on personal field work, indicates how reflection on chronic pain and its medical treatments helps an understanding of the relationship between medical work and subject experience; and paths of possible research are pointed out.
Centre de Recherches Médecine, Maladie et Sciences Sociales, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, France.
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D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology; D059408:Pain Management; D012106:Research; D012962:Sociology, Medical