Treatment of chronic pain conditions has been the focus of many medical organizations since pain was identified as the fifth vital sign by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations in 2001. Yet the assessment and subsequent treatment of pain sufferers still has significant shortcomings. Proper assessment of the patient who suffers from chronic pain is essential for comprehensive and effective treatment. While there is an increase in the number of medical and mental health practitioners trained in pain management, many providers do not understand the ease and utility of gathering initial and ongoing data of psychological and behavioral functioning and the operationalism of findings for treatment planning. Presented is a detailed review of assessment tools for the reliable identification of the patients' pain experience and its impact on activities of daily living and psychosocial functioning. Assessment results are discussed in terms of treatment coordination between medical and psychological providers.
Summarize 5 common patient-based barriers to appropriate and comprehensive pain management.
Describe the 4 basic components of a comprehensive pain management plan.
Identify the best practices in coordination of care between medical and mental health providers.
Recognize the scope of the 9 major, validated and reliable pain and mental health screening instruments.
Apply the recommended method of assessment administration given patient characteristics (e.g. ethnicity, age, cognitive functioning, culture).