Läkartidningen
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Historical Article
[Pain--life's dreaded companion. Cultural history of algology and the most important achievements].
Pain is a comprehensive phenomenon which concerns not only physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology but also music, art, religion, philosophy and everyday life. The early contributions to the development of the specificity theory is described, as are some of the important discoveries in the history of algology, such as Baillou's description of rheumatism, Heberden's description of angina pectoris and the development of the gate control theory. Despite a number of important discoveries and a much improved knowledge in basic science pain is still the dreaded companion of mankind.
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Despite unprecedented interest in the understanding of pain mechanisms and pain management, a significant number of patients continue to experience unacceptable pain after surgery. An acute pain service (APS) has to include regular pain assessment and documentation, "make pain visible", and bedside teaching of nurses in order to provide safe and cost-effective analgesia. The acute pain team in Orebro includes anaesthesiologists, surgeons, specialist acute pain nurses as well as ward nurses. A combination of less invasive surgery, effective analgesia and strategies for rehabilitation can reduce post-operative morbidity and shorten hospitalization.
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This article presents evidence of the importance of multidisciplinary assessment of students with learning disabilities. Multidisciplinary collaboration between different professions provides a more complete picture of each person's unique requirements, thereby facilitating more appropriate teaching. A critical attitude toward diagnosing students with learning disabilities may result in exaggeration of psychosocial problems, thereby running the risk that genuine learning disabilities, neurological problems or other disorders are being overlooked.