Did these cultural factors play a role in France’s past philosophy of minimal pain relief?
Yes, they did, and they still do to a certain extent, but they do not tell the full story because they do not in themselves explain the large disparity between France and many other Western countries. The difference is that France is a European Latin country, which makes it even more Judo-Christian, and Catholic, than the others. Past efforts to take pain management seriously were disparate and badly organized, whereas Anglo-Saxon countries were developing their experiences in a rigorous manner. Even post-operative pain was neglected here until relatively recently. It has often been claimed that research in this area has thus far been insufficient. Could you explain how pain management research and application have evolved in France over the years in that context? In terms of research I am inclined to speak in European terms because it is obvious that individual countries do not have anywhere near the same investment capacities as, say, the United States. The problem on a European scal
