Open AccessAn Approach to Psychological Assessment of Chronic Pain Patient Evaluated for Implantable Devices
Author(s) -
Saba Javed
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
interventional pain management reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2575-9841
DOI - 10.36076/pmcr.2019/3/159
Subject(s) - chronic pain , psychological evaluation , observational study , psychological pain , physical therapy , medicine , pain assessment , psychological testing , psychotherapist , psychology , clinical psychology , psychiatry , pain management , pathology
Chronic pain is a multidimensional field in whicha patient’s physical, environmental, and psychologicalstate must be fully understood to furtherassess their problem. These variables form acomplex interaction with each other and playa critical role in the treatment of chronic pain.The clinical interview is the cornerstone of thepsychological evaluation. An important purposeof the interview is to identify any psychiatricconditions that might exacerbate pain or complicatetreatment, such as psychosis, substancedependence, or a personality disorder.The patient was seen in the chronic pain clinicand assessed by the pain clinical psychologist.We present the case of a patient who presentedto the chronic pain clinic and underwent evaluationfor spinal cord stimulator trial placement. As part ofthis evaluation, the patient underwent psychologicalassessment by the pain clinical psychologist;we discuss the approach to psychological assessmentusing observational narrative.Psychological evaluation can help guide a physician’streatment plan to better meet the patient’sneeds. Psychological assessment prior to interventionalmanagement should be used as a toolto give the patient the best chance for success.Key words: Psychological assessment, psychologicalevaluation, spinal cord stimulation,intrathecal pump