The Body of Evidence 120 - Pain (with Leon Tourian)
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Dec 11, 2024 Dr. Leon Tourian, a pain psychiatry expert at McGill University, opens up about the intricate relationship between pain and mental health disorders. He discusses the gaps in medical training regarding pain management and stresses the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. The conversation also dives into the effectiveness of unconventional methods like hypnosis compared to traditional therapies. Dr. Tourian highlights how personal factors shape pain perception and the need for a compassionate approach when dealing with patients who face both pain and addiction.
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Pain and Psychiatry
- Chronic pain often coexists with mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, substance use, and PTSD.
- The prevalence of these disorders is two to three times higher in chronic pain patients than in the general population.
Pain Education for MDs
- Medical students receive pain training during medical school and clerkship, with access to pain clinic electives.
- Further refinement of pain diagnosis and treatment often occurs during residency, depending on the chosen specialty.
Types of Pain
- Chronic pain, lasting over three months, has little value compared to acute pain's protective function.
- Neuropathic pain, affecting 10-20% of people, is more treatable than other types like visceral or centralized pain.