FPM release joint Outcome Measures guidance

The Faculty and the British Pain Society (BPS) have jointly developed a practical guidance document of outcome scales which are appropriate to pain management.

The group, Chaired by FPM Board member Dr Ganesan Baranidharan, specifically selected this set of well validated outcome measures to assist pain services in selecting appropriate outcome measures. Importantly the measures will improve patient care and allow benchmarking against other services and against targets, helping to bring uniformity locally and nationally.

Each scale is presented with a brief description, the advantages and disadvantages, information on use and copyright. The selected scales cover several domains: Pain quantity, Pain Interference, Physical functioning, Emotional functioning, Quality of life and Patient reported global rating.

This important document has been supported by the NHS Specialised Pain Clinical Reference Group (CRG) and has been developed at a time when the NHS is moving towards outcome-based commissioning and some CCGs are now requesting outcomes to inform commissioning.