|  | Conditions Treatments | Pain Management

Patients' Pain Control Rights

According to the Texas Medical Association, a Pain Control Bill of Rights spells out the conditions patients should expect, and that doctors should provide, related to pain management.

  1. Function

    • Pain control rights are a protective framework for fair, informed pain treatment. Your rights include having your pain taken seriously, receiving proper assessment and having your questions answered. Your right to refuse treatment is preserved.

    Access

    • Get a copy of your medical file and discuss any notes that you are not comfortable with, especially those reflecting poorly on your having refused a particular pain treatment. You have the right to a copy of your medical file and the right to refuse treatment.

    Participation

    • Keeping a pain diary allows the doctor to learn about the intensity and frequency of your pain. Write down issues you need to address for inclusion in your medical file. It is your right to participate in your medical care.

    Warning

    • The Patient's Bill of Rights is not a pain control document. Used in hospitals, it addresses expectations for care common to all medical interactions.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Your state may have enacted its own statutes surrounding pain control. Before scheduling surgery or after suffering an injury, discuss these rights and your state's statutes with your doctor. Doing research is a way to help you prevent unnecessary pain.

Pain Management - Related Articles