"We want people to tell us they’re in pain, so that we can try to address it" (1:52)
Russell Portenoy, MD, urges patients to fully communicate their pain, and, if they can't, to bring a family member who can.
Click the thumbnails below to watch more real stories.
-
Chronic Pain Is Real
Doctors don't recognize chronic pain
( 1:05 )
-
Acute vs. Chronic Pain
They need different treatment
( :46 )
-
Don't Be Stoic
Tell your doctor how it really feels
( 1:52 )
-
Be a Good Patient
How to get the best care
( 1:24 )
Share Your Thoughts
Are you honest about how much you hurt?
“If a person doesn’t tell us what pain is preventing them from doing, there’s no way to develop a plan of care to fix it,” says Russell Portenoy, MD, chairman of the Department of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. But many patients will try and “tough it out” rather than be perceived as complaining. In this video, Dr. Portenoy recommends that patients who have difficulty expressing their pain bring a family member to the doctor's visit. “That individual can provide a completely different spin on the patient’s life,” says Dr. Portenoy. "That’s real information that can be used to develop a plan."
Chronic Pain Is RealDoctors don't recognize chronic pain
Acute vs. Chronic PainThey need different treatment
Don't Be StoicTell your doctor how it really feels
Be a Good PatientHow to get the best care
