Pain Patient's Bill of Rights by Jane Cowles, Ph.D., You have the right to: — Have your pain prevented or controlled adequately. — Have your pain and pain-medication history taken. — Have your pain questions answered freely. — Develop a pain plan with your doctor. — Know what medication, treatment or anesthesia will be given. — Know the risks, benefits and side effects of treatment. — Know what alternative pain treatments may be available. — Sign a statement of informed consent before any treatment. — Be believed when you say you have pain. — Have your pain assessed on an individual basis. — Have your pain assessed using the 0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain scale. — Ask for changes in treatments if your pain persists. — Receive compassionate and sympathetic care. — Receive pain medication on a timely basis. — Refuse treatment without prejudice from your doctor. — Seek a second opinion or request a pain-care specialist. — Be given your records on request. — Include your family in decision-making. — Remind those who care for you that your pain management is part of your diagnostic, medical or surgical care. - adapted from her book Pain Relief! (MasterMedia, 1994)