Pain Management, Opioid Safety, and PDMP (PMOP)

The resources section contains a compilation of useful tools and links geared towards effective understanding, assessment, and treatment of chronic pain. 

Assessment Resources

• The International Classification of Headache Disorders *. The 3nd edition of the hierarchical nosology designed for both clinical practice and research.

Pain Measures

• Pain Drawing (pdf). This simple version of the Pain Drawing Scale may be used by patients to indicate the location and quality of their pain conditions. Pain Drawing 2 (pdf)

• Pain Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) (pdf) -  This version of the Pain NRS assesses current, usual, least, and worst pain intensity on a 0 to 10 scale.

• Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS)* – A 5-item instrument to assess a patient’s pain experience, including pain intensity and the biopsychosocial impact of pain (influence on activity, sleep, mood, and level of stress.) 

− DVPRS Pain Rating Scale (pdf). A pain reporting scale for diagnostic use.
− DVPRS Supplemental Questions (pdf). Supplemental questions for use with the DVPRS.
− DVPRS Complete Assessment (pdf).  Single page format of scale and supplemental questions.
− DVPRS Complete Assessment (pdf). (Spanish)

• Pain Outcomes Questionnaire (POQ) -  The POQ is an outcomes package consisting of intake, post-treatment, and follow-up questionnaires that was developed to assess several key domains of pain treatment outcomes. The POQ contains six core subscales that assess pain intensity, pain-interference in activities of daily living (ADLs) and mobility, negative affect, activity diminishment, and pain related fear. 

− POQ – VA/S/INPT: Intake (pdf)
− POQ – VA/S/INPT: Time 2 (pdf) 
− POQ - VA: Admission – Scoring Template (pdf)
− POQ - VA: Discharge – Scoring Template (pdf)
− Development and Validation of the Pain Outcomes (pdf)

• West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory.  The West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory (WHYMPI/MPI) is a brief, psychometrically-sound measure of several important aspects of the chronic pain experience: https://www.va.gov/PAINMANAGEMENT/WHYMPI_MPI.asp

• Pain Assessment in Non-Communicative Adult Palliative Care Patients (pdf)

Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program

• The Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program (CPRP)  is an award-winning, comprehensive, 19-day inpatient chronic pain rehabilitation program that was established in 1988 to help Veterans and Service Members cope with their chronic pain and improve their functioning and quality of life. The Pain Empowerment Anywhere (PEAK) Program was developed during the pandemic and is a fully virtual, 5-week pain rehabilitation program that shares the same active rehabilitation, whole person, and team-based approach to treating chronic as the CPRP. Both programs accept national referrals for Service Members and Veterans. Please refer to the brochure, pamphlet and website for more  information regarding these programs:  https://www.va.gov/tampa-health-care/programs/chronic-pain-rehabilitation-program/

− Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program (CPRP) Brochure (pdf)
− Pain Empowerment Anywhere (PEAK) Program Pamplet(pdf) 

Professional Societies

- American Chronic Pain Association *. The American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA) is a non-profit, tax exempt organization providing a support system for those suffering with chronic pain through education and self-help group activities.

- US Association for the Study of Pain *. The US Association for the Study of Pain (USASP) is an organization consisting of a broad array of healthcare professionals focused on the treatment and study of chronic pain

- National Headache Foundation *. The National Headache Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating headache sufferers and healthcare professionals about headache causes and treatments.

- American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine *.  AAHPM is an organization of physicians and other medical professionals dedicated to excellence in and advancement of palliative medicine through prevention and relief of patient and family suffering by providing education and clinical practice standards, fostering research, facilitating personal and professional development, and by public policy advocacy.

- American Academy of Pain Medicine *.  AAPM is the medical specialty society representing physicians practicing in the field of Pain Medicine.

- American Headache Society *.  AHS is a professional society of health care providers dedicated to the study and treatment of headache and face pain.

- American Society of Pain Management Nursing *.  ASPMN is an organization of professional nurses dedicated to promoting and providing optimal care of individuals with pain, including the management of its sequelae.

- American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine *. ASRAPM clinical and professional educational needs of physicians and scientists, strives for excellence in patient care utilizing regional anesthesia and pain medicine, and investigates the scientific basis of the specialty.

- International Association for the Study of Pain *.  IASP is a leading professional forum for science, practice, and education in the field of pain.

All the links marked with asterisk ( * ) are External links. By clicking on these links, you will leave the Department of Veterans Affairs Website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked website.