Patients Bill Of Rights
You have the right to.... have your report of pain taken seriously and to
be treated with dignity and respect by doctors,
nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals.
You have the right to.... have your pain thoroughly assessed and promptly
treated.
You have the right to.... be informed by your healthcare provider about
what may be causing your pain, possible treatments,
and the benefits, risks, and costs of each.
You have the right to.... participate actively in decisions about how to
manage your pain.
You have the right to.... have your pain reassessed regularly and your
treatment adjusted if your pain has not been
eased.
You have the right to.... be referred to a pain specialist if your pain
persists.
You have the right to.... get clear and prompt answers to your questions,
take time to make decisions, and refuse a particular
type of treatment if you choose.
Although not always required by law, these are the
rights you should expect for your pain care.
How do I talk to my Doctor?
Speak up! Tell your healthcare provider that
you?re in pain.
Tell your doctor or nurse where it hurts. Do
you have pain in one place or several
places? Does the pain seem to move around?
Describe how much your pain hurts. On a scale
from 0 to 10, zero means no pain at all and 10
means the worst pain you can imagine.
Describe what makes your pain better or worse.
Is the pain always there, or does it go away
sometimes? Does the pain get worse when you
move in certain ways? Do other things make it
better or worse?
Describe what your pain feels like. Use specific
words like sharp, stabbing, dull, aching, burning,
shock-like, tingling, throbbing, deep, or pressing.
Explain how the pain affects your daily life. Can
you sleep? Work? Exercise? Participate in social
activities? Concentrate? How is your mood?
Tell your doctor or nurse about past treatments
for pain. Have you taken medication or had sur
gery? Tried massage or meditation? Applied heat
or cold? Exercised? Explain what worked and
what didn?t.
American Pain Foundation
201 N. Charles Street, Suite 710
B a l t i m o re, MD 21201-4111
To l l - f ree information line: 888-615-7246
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