Clinical Bioethics
Resolution: n. 1. The act of resolving to simpler form. 2. The separation of anything into component parts. 3. The making of a resolve, and/or the purpose of a course or action(s) settled upon. 4. The state of active fortitude. 5. The proposition offered to, or adopted by an assembly. 6. A judgment or decision, usually of a court or administrative body. 7. (Mus.) The replacement of a dissonant note or tone by another, usually more resonant tone, in a step-wise manner.1
With the advent of the new year, we move further into
the Decade of Pain Control and Research, and therefore, closer to its conclusion.
Ultimately, we may ask what developments, insights and true benefits have been gained, not
only from this ten-year period, but as a result of the progressive, catalyst effect
incurred by the inertial ground swell of research applications in genetics, neuroscience
and the humanities. In this light, I am reminded of the motto of City College of New
York,2 “…respice, adspice, prospice” – that we must examine the past,
present and future with resolve. Such resolve is construed in the strictest sense of the
word, in that we must use our extant knowledge from history, current circumstance(s), and
insight and desires for the future to shape a meaningful perspective of what has been,
what is, and what could and should be. Thus, resolution(s) simplify and identify the parts
of an issue, point direction and gain decisional prudence from lessons learned and goals
desired, foster strength, imbue abilities, and enact change to replace discord with
harmony.
In this essay, I offer a set of resolutions for pain management that embrace each of these dimensions, and in so doing seek to build upon the past, embrace the present, and positively shape the future. I believe that some of the information that I and other authors have provided in this journal over the past year will be helpful in providing the necessary details that inform and sustain these incentives (a partial listing of that writing may be found in the bibliography of this essay). I tender these propositions as a basis for present and future consideration, discussion and dialectic, given that any real ability for change can only occur through the harmony of multiple voices and the visions of differing lenses.
Please refer to the Jan/Feb 2007 issue for the complete text. In the event you need to order a back issue, please click here.
