Subsequent assessments are used to evaluate how well the treatment plan is working.  If the pain is not substantially relieved, it is important to determine whether the pain level has remained the same due to the progression of the illness or injury or whether there is a new cause of pain.
 The initial evaluation of a patient in pain should include a detailed history of the problem.  It should include an assessment of the intensity of the pain as well as a good description of the pain.  The professional should document the onset of and the exact

location(s) of the pain.  A physical examination performed by a medical doctor or doctors is a must with an emphasis on specific details depending on the type of pain problem.  The physician should utilize necessary diagnostic tests to determine the cause(s) of the pain.  A psychologist or psychiatrist should complete psychological and psychosocial assessments.  Attention to detail is important. 
A delayed or incorrect diagnosis can result in increased
morbidity, needless pain and suffering or both.  The initial assessment should provide a detailed description of each type of pain.  Health professionals should ask about the pain from the patient.  The patient’s self-report should be a primary source of assessment.  A self-report should include a description
of the pain, its location, the intensity, severity, and aggravating and relieving factors of the pain.  The individual’s cognitive thoughts and feelings toward the pain are important.  A patient’s behavior or vital signs should never be used in lieu of a self-report.  A self-report is a brief and easy to use assessment tool that reliably documents the patient’s pain intensity, sources that irritate or help the pain and other important dimensions such as mood.
 One routine clinical approach to pain assessment is to ask the individual about the intensity of the pain on a regular basis.  It is essential for the professional to believe the sufferer and family in their reports of pain and what worsens the pain as well as what helps to relieve it.  When a treatment protocol is being determined it is crucial to choose pain control options that are appropriate for the patient, family and living situation.  It is critical for the professional to deliver pain control in a timely, logical and coordinated fashion.  Each professional who comes in contact with the patient in pain and their families needs to attempt to empower the individual and family.  It is necessary to help them to understand that they are now part of the treatment team and the more they understand their condition(s), the better the outcome.

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©2008 Dr Patty V., PsyD