The experience of pain is highly subjective, and the patient’s report of pain should be the
only validation required for its existence. Some patients may be perceived by clinicians
to exaggerate the degree of pain they are experiencing, while others deny feeling pain in
circumstances where pain is usual. Many factors influence the experience of pain, including
culture, age, gender, previous pain experience, and expectations about pain relief. Clinicians
should maintain a high index of suspicion when assessing patients with pain because pain
may indicate a serious condition such as infection or cancer. Optimal pain assessment
includes the evaluation of individualized patient expectations and misconceptions about
pain.