ABSTRACT
The evaluation of pain in the chronic pain patient must be multidisciplinary. The psychological evaluation and assessment of chronic pain patients has evolved from unidimensional to multidimensional models and the utility of the approaches has increased exponentially. The inadequate assessment of the pain patient is based on a surprising lack of knowledge and misunderstanding about chronic pain issues. A structured clinical interview is typically performed as part of any comprehensive psychological evaluation and assessment of chronic pain patients. Patients with chronic pain often have a traumatic onset etiology. A significant number of patients seen by chronic pain specialists may therefore experience considerable amounts of psychological distress and some may have posttraumatic stress disorder. Among the most difficult to manage and treat populations of chronic pain patients are the patients who present with a past history of addiction to illicit substances, alcohol, or prescription drugs.
