Listening to Pain: A Clinician's Guide to Improving Pain Management Through Better Communication [Paperback]

In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Fishman shows how communicating better with patients about their pain can help physicians create safer and more effective treatment strategies.In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Fishman shows how communicating better with patients about their pain can help physicians create safer and more effective treatment strategies.Listening to Painoffers physicians a wealth of practical guidance about asking the right questions and assessing patient responses, including:-What questions to ask pain patients when they first present with pain-Using functional goals as outcome measures-Educating patients about the risks and benefits of treatment-Documenting patient consent and compliance with treatment regimens-How to manage difficult patientsIntroduction: The Healing Art of CommunicationChapter 1: Asking the Right QuestionsStep 1: Slow DownStep 2: Focus on the Whole Patient, Not Just the PainStep 3: Use Reflective Listening SkillsThe Importance of Taking a ComprehensiveHistoryFocusing on FunctionThe Balancing Act of Compassion and VigilanceChapter 2: Focusing on FunctionThe Myth of Zero PainA Different ApproachMonitoring Functional Changes Universal Precautions in Pain ManagementChapter 3: Keeping Track of TreatmentWhy Documentation is a Doctor's (and Patient's) Best FriendElements of Effective DocumentationAssessmentPatient Education About Risks and Benefits of TherapyPhysician-Patient Treatment AgreementsMonitoring Functional Progress, Adherence, and Adverse EventsModifying Treatments Over TimeChapter 4: Dealing With Difficult PatientsThe Sources of Aberrant BehaviorsManaging Aberrant Patient BehaviorCoping With Specific Aberrant BehaviorsTerminating a RelationshipThe Rewards of PerseveranceChapter 5: Physician SurvivalAppendix: Resources for Pain ManagementAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorScott M. Fishman, M.D. is a leading pain medicine clinician, teacher, researcher, and writer. He is President and Chairman of the American Pain FoundatiolãM