Psychiatric evaluation and therapy of pain patients

Psychiatric-treatment of pain syndromes in general hospital and outpatient settings is becoming increasingly important. Psychiatric consultation-liais on services should conceive of treating pain patients as a major part of th eir clinical work, for which psychiatry has to offer special expertise. In order to stimulate interest in treating such patients within psychiatry, th e following article outlines diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of psychiat ry's unique contribution within multidisciplinary treatment teams for pain patients.