The investiture ceremony recognised his balance of science and empathy as part of his research into well-being, and the value of research collaborations, such as his long-standing partnership with the URV Chair in Paediatric Pain

The Universitat Rovira i Virgili has a new doctor honoris causa. Mark Philip Jensen, a globally recognised expert in the assessment and treatment of chronic pain, was awarded this distinction on Friday in a ceremony that emphasised two fundamental aspects of research, both deeply rooted in human experience. First, the collaboration among researchers, exemplified by Jensen’s long-standing and highly productive partnership with the URV’s Chair in Paediatric Pain-Grünenthal Foundation and the Algos Research Group in Pain.  And second, his ability to combine scientific precision with deep empathy, a meticulous balance that, according to his sponsor Jordi Miró, director of the Chair, has been fundamental to his success in improving human well-being.

“The most important recognition of my career.” These words, stated by a “leading figure” in the study of chronic pain, as described by Miró, underscore the significance of this honour for Jensen, whose career spans many prestigious awards, high-impact publications and roles of huge responsibility. As a full professor and vice chair of research in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington, Jensen has published more than 700 research articles, 12 books, and 46 book chapters on pain and its treatment. According to Miró, his work has redefined how patients suffering with chronic pain are treated.

Jensen has served on the editorial boards of several prestigious journals and was editor-in-chief of the Journal of Pain from 2010 to 2022. He has also received numerous awards and accolades for his articles and scientific work, including recognition from the Society of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (2004); the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (2009); the Society of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (for the best nook on hypnosis in 2011); the American Psychological Association for his contributions to scientific hypnosis (2012); the American Pain Society (2014); the American Psycholigical Association (2018) and from the International Association for the Study of Pain (2020).

A long and fruitful partnership

Among his many professional achievements, Mark P. Jensen, who signed the URV book of honour before the ceremony, holds a special place for his collaboration with researchers in Tarragona. His connection with the URV dates back to 1992, when Jordi Miró made his first visit to the University of Washington, describing it as “highly rewarding and successful”, and acknowledging that it has played a crucial role in numerous advancements. One of the most significant insights is the understanding that chronic pain is not a biomedical issue, but a biopsychosocial one. “As the brain is the generator of pain, effective chronic pain treatments must bring about changes in the way the brain responds to sensory stimuli. We must target the muscle between our ears”, Jensen explained, and highlighted that 20% of the global population experiences it. Studies from the URV Chair in Paediatric Pain have shown that in Tarragona, 5% of children and adolescents suffer from high-impact chronic pain.

This collaboration with the URV, which has so far resulted in 82 scientific articles (with several more pending publication) has been shaped by four key objectives: assessing pain; understanding the psychological factors that contribute to it; examining the nature and scope of pain-related issues affecting children and adolescents; and exploring the potential of new and innovative treatments. Among its outcomes, Jensen mentioned the validation of the numerical pain scale for measuring pain in children and young people, evidence of the critical role of continuous and unconditional parental support, the identification of sedentary lifestyles and excessive screen use as contributing factors to the growing prevalence of chronic pain among young people, and finally, the confirmation of the effectiveness of clinical hypnosis, meditation training, and non-invasive brain stimulation.

Reflecting on this “long-standing, close, and highly productive collaboration”, Jordi Miró emphasised Jensen’s pivotal role in developing the paediatric Chronic Pain Treatment Programme at Sant Joan University Hospital in Reus. Launched in 2007, this programme remains one of a kind in Spain due to its unique approach. According to Miró, Jensen’s impact on the advancement of knowledge is undeniable, particularly in the field of assessment: “Pain is a subjective experience, making it difficult to measure accurately. That’s why having valid, reliable, and responsive tools is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of treatments, and for developing new, even more effective ones.” The director of the URV Chair in Paediatric Pain also highlighted Jensen’s contributions to non-pharmacological pain treatments, such as clinical hypnosis (he served as the president of the International Society for Hypnosis from 2021 to 2024) and neurofeedback therapy.

Humanity and global impact

Despite his scientific achievements, Jordi Miró emphasised that what truly defines Jensen is his humanity. “He doesn’t just research pain. He cares deeply about the people who suffer from it, and is driven by a genuine desire to help. He is always ready to listen and provide support, and is a shining example of how science and empathy can work in tandem to change lives. His ability to maintain a smile, even in the face of the toughest challenges, is an inspiration to us all. Dr Jensen teaches us that life is a balance between science and empathy, and between rigour and creativity.”

Josep Poblet, president of the URV’s Social Council, expressed his gratitude to Mark Jensen for his contributions to humanity through his research. Drawing inspiration from the classics, he underscored the importance of art, language, and the power of communication between doctor and patient. Poblet highlighted one of Jensen’s greatest strengths, his ability to adapt techniques to the specific needs of each patient, a skill that is essential in clinical practice.

The ceremony was brought to a close by URV Rector, Josep Pallarès, who noted that the last person to receive an honorary doctorate from URV was Tarragona-born writer Olga Xirinacs, in a ceremony that focused on regional identity. “Today, however, in a ceremony almost identical in form, we celebrate another defining characteristic of the URV, its international vocation. Far from being contradictory, local connection and global outreach are two sides of the same coin, shaping a modern university that is both deeply rooted and capable of making an impact worldwide”, Pallarès stated. He described Jensen as “a prime example of this global impact, with a distinguished career and remarkable ability to collaborate with researchers across five continents”. “We are hugely proud that our University has been the institution with which he has developed his most intensive and fruitful collaboration. This joint work has led to the development of innovative resources that will undoubtedly transform the way chronic pain is addressed in children and young people”, he concluded.