Questionnaires and Pain Scales

Question 1

Questionnaires

Answer 1

Can be powerful assessment tools.
Can help identify health conditions, motivations, goals, behaviour change options, functional abilities.
Subjective-objective measures
-using a client’s subjective input in an objective way.
Can find questionnaire on almost any condition (use peer-reviewed research).
Pre-screening or general questionnaires include PAR-Q, GAQ, barriers to PA, etc.
Mental health questionnaires include HADS, Beck Depression Inventory, etc.
Pain and function questionnaires include OSwetry, UEFI, etc.
Specific condition questionnaires include rivermead post concussion, fibromyalgia impact questionnaire, etc.

Question 2

Benefits of using Questionnaires

Answer 2

Easy to administer.
Can be very specific to certain health conditions.
Utilized greatly by case managers.
Can help understand a client’s condition, pain, functional ability, etc. more in depth.
Facilitates a deeper conversation or more specific assessment.
Good to track changes over time.
Can compare to norms if possible.

Question 3

Limitations fo Questionnaires

Answer 3

Learning effect.
Different interpretations for each client, or even with the same client across a different day.
Questionnaires not specific enough or too specific.
Can take up a lot of time in sessions.
Many are older/not up to date.

Question 4

How to administer questionnaires:

Answer 4

Briefly go over the questionnaire with a client and explain why you are using it.
-explain scoring if needed.
-you may have to read the question out to certain clients, but try not to influence their answers.
Relate to norms if appropriate.
Interpret the score if appropriate.
-some have a clinical difference number to use too

Question 5

Norms

Answer 5

The typical standard for an assessment that you can compare your client’s measures to.
-often see based on sex and age group.
-norms are typically created from data gathered in research.
-not all data or norms that you find are up to date or have the age groups available.
-you may not be able to find norms on all types of objective tests (may influence if you use that test)

Question 6

Clinical/Significant Difference

Answer 6

Minimum detectable change.
-minimum change needed to determine real difference between baseline and subsequent questionnaires.

Question 7

Pain Scales

Answer 7

Used for almost every client.
Not exactly valid or reliable but a good way you can start to understand someone’s pain and open up the conversation around their pain.

Question 8

Pain ASsessment

Answer 8

Pain assessment should include more than just a number.
-type of pain, location, MOI, duration, body language, other neural changes, aggravators, easers.
Also non-verbal pain scale.
Questionnaires exist to address types of pain or injuries.
OPQRST = onset, provocation/palliation (aggs/easers), quality (type), region and radiation, severity, timing.
Address risk factors for pain
-pain is multifactoral