Tools

1. PROVIDER TOOLS

A. Pain Assessments - these are located towards the bottom of the Tools to Download section of the Clinical Tools page on PainEDU.org

  1. Neuropathic Pain Scale - This measure was created by Drs. Galer and Jensen. It is a ten question survey assessing the patient's experience of their pain. It measures pain qualities such as intensity, sharpness, and sensitivity.
  2. Brief Pain Inventory (short pdf) - This measure was created by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer center. It is a single page, nine question survey. The tool asks patients to rate their pain and also assesses the patient's ability to complete daily living activities.
  3. Brief Pain Inventory (long pdf) - This measure was created by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer center. It is a single page, nine question survey. The tool asks patients to rate their pain and also assesses the patient's ability to complete daily living activities.
  4. Pain.EDU Sample Pain Assessment - this sample pain assessment employs commonly used pain scales and questions. Basic assessment is a critical part of total pain management. This sample pain assessment demonstrates the questions that can aid healthcare practitioners in completing a thorough pain assessment.

Downloadable

  1. CaresAlliance Brief Pain Inventory - The Brief Pain Inventory contains self-reporting questions, completed by the patient, that documents the extent of the pain as well as how the patients functions in this pain.
  2. Numeric Rating Scale and Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale - The Numeric Rating Scale is a simple reporting instrument that helps to quantify a patient's pain. The tool is administered by asking the patient to verbally estimate their pain on a scale of 1 to 10. This is a simplified version of number 4 above.

B. Opioid Tools

  1. Online Opioid Risk Tool - A set of five yes/no self-report questions to help measure and predict a patient's probability of displaying aberrant behaviors when prescribed opioid analgesia.
  2. Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain (SOAPP) - A brief paper and pencil tool to facilitate assessment and planning for chronic pain patients being considered for long-term opioid treatment. This tool is intended to predict which patients, being considered for long-term opioid therapy, may exhibit aberrant medications behaviors in the future. (To access this tool, you will need to register on PainEDU.org. You can register by clicking the 'Download SOAPP' button.)
  3. Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM) - A tool to help clinicians identify whether a patient, currently on long-term opioid therapy, may be exhibiting aberrant behaviors associated with misuse of opioid medications. Since the COMM examines concurrent misuse, it is ideal for helping clinicians monitor patients' aberrant medication-related behaviors over the course of treatment. (To access this tool, you will need to register on PainEDU.org. You can register by clicking the 'Download COMM' button.)

Downloadable

  1. Opioid Risk Tool - A set of five yes/no self-report questions to help measure and predict a patient's probability of displaying aberrant behaviors when prescribed opioid analgesia.
  2. D.I.R.E. Score: Patient Selection for Chronic Opioid Analgesia - Is your patient a suitable candidate for long term opioid analgesia?
  3. Progress Note - Pain Assessment and Documentation Tool (PADT)
  4. Necessary Information for Prescribers - Methadone for Chronic Pain - The Necessary Information tool is intended to provide background and critical information that prescribers should always know before prescribing methadone to treat pain, including instances where methadone should never be used.

2. PATIENT TOOLS (Downloadable except B2)

A. Pain Diaries

  1. Example 1
  2. Example 2
  3. Example 3 - You may also fill out the pain diary online and print it. (This is a .pdf file which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader and takes a bit of time to display.)
  4. Example 4 - You may also fill out the pain diary online and print it. (This is a .pdf file which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader and takes a bit of time to display.)
  5. The American Pain Foundation's Target Chronic Pain Notebook (1.4 MB) - This easy-to-use Pain Notebook was created to help you record your pain experience (when it occurs, for how long, the level and type of pain, possible triggers, etc.), its impact on day-to-day life (what activities you can or cannot do), and how you may respond to various treatments over time, including side effects and improvements in daily function and emotional wellness.

B. Other Tools For Patients

  1. American Chronic Pain Association - Quality of Life Scale - The Quality of Life scale is provided in two formats, graphical and text. We invite you to explore both formats to see which one might better help you to communicate with your health care provider as well as family and friends.
  2. American Chronic Pain Association - Pain Log (will open in a new window) - You can fill out this online log at the end of each day or several times a week. Over time you may be able to see certain patterns that will provide clues on daily activities or situations that you can change to help you better manage or reduce your pain.
  3. How to Talk to Your Doctor: A Workbook for People with Pain - This workbook is designed to facilitate communication between people with pain and their healthcare professional. By recording pain history, questions, and other important information, doctor-patient communication can be open and clear.
  4. Opioid Safe Use and Handling Guide - Educational tool for people with pain about the potential risks of opioid analgesics, and how they can ensure safe use and handling to protect themselves and their families. Included is a card to manage your drugs, and a safe use reminder card.
  5. Chronic Opioid Therapy - Dos and Don'ts to Help Avoid Problems
  6. Chronic Opioid Therapy - Preparing for Your Appointments
  7. Patient/Provider Expectations and Responsibilities Form - Methadone for Chronic Pain - This form should be used to set expectations for both the patient as well as the prescriber at the start of methadone therapy. It is meant to be used as a counseling tool, with the clinician using the points in the form as counseling opportunities, and the patient initialing each point to indicate understanding.