title: Stigmatization of patients with chronic pain: the extinction of empathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To address how health professionals may inadvertently contribute to the stigmatization of patients with chronic pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Formulation and implementation of the Australian National Pain Strategy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of current concepts of stereotyping and stigma, consideration of their relationship to empathy, and how they might impinge upon the clinical encounter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The extinction of empathy, which we refer to as "negative empathy," can overwhelm health professionals, allowing the entry of negative community stereotypes of chronic pain sufferers and add to their stigmatization. Prevailing dualistic frames of reference encourage this process.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Greater awareness by health professionals of their own potential, often inadvertent, contribution to the stigmatization of their patients with chronic pain may serve as a basis for an expanded model of clinical engagement.
authors: Pain Medicine and Rheumatology, St. Vincent's Campus, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors: Milton
authors: M
authors: Cohen
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Quintner
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Buchanan
authors: Mandy
authors: M
authors: Nielsen
authors: Lynette
authors: L
authors: Guy
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D004645:Empathy; D006801:Humans; D013240:Stereotyping; D013577:Syndrome