Peer-Reviewed Publication
BMJ Open2026;16(7):e105845.July 30, 2026Journal Article
Exploring how patients, caregivers and clinicians experience pain across therapeutic areas in Italy: a multi-centre narrative medicine project.
Antonio Cascio1, Gianpaolo De Marini2, Angela La Neve3, Claudio Mencacci4, Loredana Celentano5, Maurizio Elia6,7, Adelina Kapllani8, Alberto Enrico Maraolo9, Vassilis Martiadis10, Luca Miceli11, Roberto Michelucci12, Miriam Olivola13,14, Barbara Ricciardi15, Mirko Riolfi16, Stefano Rusconi17,18, Ubaldo Sagripanti19, Marco Spinelli20, Antonio Losacco21, Serena Pantalone21, Francesco Minetti22, Erika Greco23, Maria Giulia Marini22
1Unit of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University Hospital "P. Giaccone", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
2General Practitioner in Training; formerly Anesthesiologist and Intensivist, G.B. Grassi Hospital, Rome, Italy.
3Unit of Neurophysiopathology, Policlinico of Bari, Bari, Apulia, Italy.
4Emeritus Director, Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addiction, Fatebenefratelli-Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Lombardy, Italy.
5Pediatric Pain Therapy, Hospice and Palliative Care Unit, A.O.R.N. Santobono Pausilipon, Naples, Campania, Italy.
6Unit of Pediatric Neurology and Neurophysiology, IRCCS Associazione OASI Maria SS, Torina, Sicily, Italy.
7Department of Medicine and Surgery, Kore University of Enna, Enna, Sicily, Italy.
8Oncology Reference Center, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy.
9Department of Infectious Diseases, Universita degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy.
10Department of Mental Health, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Napoli 1 Centro, Naples, Campania, Italy.
11Pain Medicine Clinical and Experimental Unit (Simple Departmental Operational Structure), Foundation IRCCS National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Lombardy, Italy.
12IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
13Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Aziende Socio Sanitarie Territoriale Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Lombardy, Italy.
14Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Lombardia, Italy.
15Infectious Diseases Unit for Osteoarticular Infections, Western Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Locale 2 Savonese, ASL 2 Savonese, Liguria, Italy.
16Integrated Palliative Care Unit, Aziende Socio Sanitarie Territoriale dei Sette Laghi, Varese, Lombardy, Italy.
17Department of Infectious Diseases, Legnano General Hospital, Aziende Socio Sanitarie Territoriale Ovest Milanese, Legnano, Lombardy, Italy.
18Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC), Universita degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Lombardy, Italy.
19Mental Health Department (DSM), Azienda Sanitaria Territoriale Macerata, Macerata, Marche, Italy.
20Pediatric Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Lombardy, Italy.
21Medical Affairs Department, Angelini Pharma SpA, Ancona, Italy.
22Healthcare Area, ISTUD Srl, Milan, Piedmont, Italy.
23Healthcare Area, ISTUD Srl, Milan, Piedmont, Italy egreco@istud.it.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Despite increased awareness of its multi-dimensional nature, pain remains often underestimated, and its management across different therapeutic areas remains complex. A patient-centred approach is needed to bridge the gap between clinical assessment and individual experience. This project aimed to explore the pain experience across different therapeutic areas through narrative medici…
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