The psychology of pain: Frank Keefe as Editor-in-Chief of PAIN 2013-2022.

Abstract

Abstract: Francis J. Keefe, known as Frank, was the fourth Editor-in-Chief of PAIN (2013-2023). This essay explores his work as a researcher, a teacher, a clinician, mentor, and as editor. When Frank took up his position at PAIN, he already had an international reputation as one of the leading figures in the psychology of pain, with broad research interests and several hundred high-quality and much-cited publications. He was hugely influential in the development and spread of cognitive-behavioral pain management practices and in their careful evaluation. His research articles cover the gamut of pain topics from primary to secondary chronic pain, along with pain related to procedures, and the concerns of people living with pain, as well as ways in which their interactions with partners and family members could be harnessed to enhance their lives despite persisting pain. He also displayed the rare talent of being able to explain psychological and social perspectives on pain to fellow health care professionals from all disciplines, and a respectful curiosity about more biological aspects of pain mechanisms. He has taught, mentored, inspired, and encouraged countless junior colleagues, modelling how to be a compassionate and thoughtful scientist-practitioner. He brought all these skills and strengths to PAIN, which continued to flourish under his editorship, and achieved an even stronger standing in the field of pain science.