Chronic pain: an overview of its assessment and management

Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists beyond the expected period of healing, usually more than 12 weeks, and may continue in the absence of any obvious diagnoses or ongoing tissue damage. It is a multifaceted, complex condition affecting all aspects of an individual's life, including their physical, psychological and social well-being. This article supports nurses to understand chronic pain and its underlying mechanisms, as well as outlining the elements of a chronic pain assessment and discussing evidence-based person-centred management. The article also distinguishes between acute and chronic pain, outlines the biopsychosocial impact of pain and emphasises the importance of multidisciplinary patient care.