Pain Management Program
Screening & Evaluation
Before undergoing screening for the Pain Management Program, typically a pain physician
has referred you for treatment.
The Pain Management Program administrative staff will contact you regarding your
appointment at the Pain Management Program for the screening evaluation. Any payment
or insurance issues will have been already discussed with you.
What is a screening evaluation?
A screening evaluation is a one-on-one interview with a member of the nursing staff,
psychology staff and physical therapy staff. The session with the psychologist and
physical therapist can take up to an hour. The session with the nurse will take
approximately 30 minutes. You will also be asked to complete questionnaires that
are related to your pain experience and medical history.
What is the purpose of the screening evaluation?
A screening evaluation is necessary to ensure the treatment staff at the Pain Management
Program confirm that treatment in the four-week program is appropriate for you.
Additionally, it helps the staff learn as much as possible about your situation
before starting treatment.
How long does the screening evaluation take?
Completion of the entire screening interviews and paperwork can take three to three
and one-half hours. Typically, the screening evaluations with staff are scheduled
sequentially to minimize the time out of your day. However, if there are special
scheduling needs, the screening evaluations may extend over a longer period of time.
What should I bring to the evaluation?
- All medical records that your physician may not have had at the time you were given
the medical recommendation to be treated at the Pain Management Program.
- A complete list of all of the medications and dosages of the medications that have
been prescribed for you; even medications prescribed for conditions in addition
to your pain.
- Many times it is very helpful to bring a written list of all of the medical procedures
you have had including:
- Surgeries (ALL surgeries)
- Diagnostics
- Medical treatments
- Non-medical treatments including alternative healing arts
- Any X-ray, CT, MRI or other scans that were not available to your pain physician.
Most often it is best to have both the films and the written interpretations (reports)
related to those diagnostics.
