Questions to Ask Your Provider

All practitioners have their own style, their own set of expertise, and their own limitations. The more informed you are, the better choice you are likely to make in choosing a Provider. It is your responsibility to make this choice. There is a better chance of success if you feel comfortable with your Provider from the beginning. And if your care is not working out to your satisfaction, then it is your responsibility to discuss this with your provider. You should feel empowered to make any changes necessary for you to feel satisfied with your professional relationship with all your provider, whether they provide pain care or not.

Below are some suggested questions you may want to ask your provider before you start treatment:

1. How often do you treat patients with my type of pain condition?
2. What are your special qualifications to treat my pain condition?
3. Have you participated in any special training about pain management techniques?
4. What is your philosophy of managing my pain condition in terms of medications and alternative therapies?
5. What types of medications do you usually prescribe?
6. What types of non-medication therapies do you use?
7. Where do you refer patients who need additional treatment?
8. Is your clinic listed with any professional societies?
9. Are you, or is someone in the clinic, available 24 hours a day if I need help?
10. Who is in charge of my care plan? How often do I see that person?
11. What should I expect from treatment with you and/or your team? What do you expect from me?
12. What services may you recommend that are not covered by my insurance? How much do they cost? How can I make arrangements with you to pay for these services?
13. How do we make arrangements for you to communicate with:
    1. my family, and/or
    2. my other doctor(s) and/or
    3. my employer, etc. 
14. I do not wish you to discuss my condition with anyone else. Is that a reasonable arrangement for my condition?