ABSTRACT
Most chapters in this volume primarily address the nature of pain and how pain problems can be alleviated. This chapter is more aspirational and outlines essential principles, values, and expectations that must be followed by professionals who study, assess, and treat pain. Maintaining high standards for the competent care and respectful treatment of clients and research participants, while staying in touch with important philosophical and moral traditions treasured in our society, is extremely important. Such traditions as well as codes of ethical conduct and guidelines should be taken into account at every step of our clinical and research endeavors.
