Pain Patient's Bill of Rights.

[Dixiefireball]

Pain Patient's Bill of Rights
You have a right to:

-Have your pain prevented or controlled adequately

-Have your pain and pain medication history taken

-Ask how much pain to expect and how long it might last

-Have your pain questions answered freely

-Develop a pain plan with your doctor

-Know what medication, treatment, or anesthesia will be given

-Know the risks, benefits, and side effects of treatment

-Know what alternative pain treatments may be available

-Sign a statement of informed consent before any treatment

-Be believed when you say you have pain

-Have your pain assessed on an individual basis

-Have your pain assessed using the 0=no pain/10=worst pain scale

-Ask for changes in treatments if your pain persists

-Compassionate and sympathetic care

-Receive pain medication on a timely basis

-Refuse treatment without prejudice from your doctor

-Seek a second opinion or request a pain care specialist

-Your records upon request

-Include family in decision making

Remind those who care for you that pain management is part of your diagnostic, medical, or surgical care.

- 1992 Jane Cowles, Ph.D.

[MakinIT]

thanks for looking that up...I think docs forget that we have rights and more important, know our bodies....even better than they think they do!!!!!

Tracey

[Dixiefireball]

thank you tracey i just hope enough people will read this to know there rights.
sending all of you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[MakinIT]

Yeah...It amazes me when I talk to folks how scared they are totalk to their docs. Maybe it's because I've been ill som many times in my life that they still have this god-like view of doctors. I'm always very polite and considerate but also very insistent of my needs. I'm hurting like hell today (My PT just took one look at me, said "let's do some gentle stretching today...then go home and sleep...I won't bill you for it." ) She also told me I need to stop messing around on days I feel bad and stop trying to push through the pain. Recognize its a heating pad day and just rest. Sucks. I have an appt at the pain clinic tomorrow late, so we shall see what he says.

:thumbsup: Take care- T