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9990 · 3.3.2

Measuring pain

**Measuring pain** (3.3.2) — compare **self-report vs behavioural** measures and validity issues. Pain is defined by the patient's experience — "pain is whatever the experiencing person says it is" (McCaffery).

Need to know

What you need to know

  • Pain is a subjective, private experience, making objective measurement difficult.
  • Measuring pain is essential for diagnosis, treatment planning, and evaluating therapeutic outcomes.
  • Primary methods include self-report (e.g., scales), behavioural observation, and physiological indicators.
  • The most appropriate measure depends on the patient's condition, age, and cognitive status.

Explanation

Measuring pain

  1. Pain is a subjective, private experience, making objective measurement difficult.
  2. Measuring pain is essential for diagnosis, treatment planning, and evaluating therapeutic outcomes.
  3. Primary methods include self-report (e.g., scales), behavioural observation, and physiological indicators.
  4. The most appropriate measure depends on the patient's condition, age, and cognitive status.
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