What if a patient's doctor won't prescribe adequate pain medicine?

Unfortunately some physicians are not properly informed about pain relief medications or have an unreasonable fear of "addicting" their patients. Usually such physicians do not customarily treat the dying, but rather have a mind set of "curing" a patient. A terminally ill patient (or those advocating for him or her) would be wise to seek out a physician who is well informed about pain management. One of the advantages of hospice care is that the medical personnel are well informed and well trained in the application of adequate and appropriate pain medication. In California physicians are required to receive continuing education on pain management which provides them with proper assessment, use and options available for various types of pain. Adequate pain relief is a right of every person and should be expected with good hospice or end of life care as well as during earlier treatment phase, as needed. ... more