Patients take control over an illness by arming themselves with information, setting their own treatment schedule, or considering options such as surgery or medication. Patient controlled analgesia is becoming more common in the treatment of post-operative pain and diseases accompanied by severe pain, such as cancer. The patient can press a button, which releases a little bit of medication. The patient knows he's in control. What happens when this is used is very interesting.
Studies suggest people use less pain medication and have more relief.
I think that is directly related to the sense of control the patient feels. While it's true that children are capable of experiencing pain just as adults are, Keefe and Jones are quick to say that doesn't mean all children experience pain in the same way. Everyone experiences pain differently and employs different skills to cope with that pain. Examining how patients deal with pain has been a growing interest for researchers in the field, resulting in a number of important findings that could aid clinicians in the treatment of pain. Studies involving children suggest they may be more open to techniques such as guided imagery, hypnosis, or other methods that allow them to control their pain by using their imagination. and studies of men and women suggest women may be more inclined to use these and other types of coping skills to help them endure pain.