Communication Tools
Good communication with your health care provider is vital to getting the help you need to live well in spite of your pain. The ACPA tools in this section can help you talk more productively with your health care provider or pharmacist.
You also may find them useful in identifying patterns in your daily life that have an impact on your pain. When you understand your personal pain triggers, you can deal with them ore proactively.
ACPA MedCard
A medication and allergy card that easily fits in your wallet or purse.
ACPA MedCard PDF
Pain Log
Many things can affect your pain. These can include stress, sleep, money worries, and even the weather. The Pain Log can help you track the everyday things that have an impact on your pain. When you understand what makes your pain worse, you can begin to work on ways to reduce or deal with your pain “triggers.” The more you know about how your body reacts, the more you can be in control. And being in better control can help you be less afraid and better able to manage your pain. We encourage you to fill out a chart out at the end of each day or several times a week. You also can take your “log book” to your doctor visits. It can help you talk more openly with your healthcare provider so that together you can find ways to improve your quality of life.
Pain Log (Online Tool)
PDF version
CARE Card
When you’re not feeling well you go to the doctors. He or she may give you a prescription to obtain medication from the pharmacy as part of your treatment. It is important that you understand what you are taking, why and how to take it. This graphical tool will help you to understand how your medication should be taken, what things you should avoid while taking it as well as possible side effects.
CARE Card PDF
Follow-Up From Your Visit
It is important that after your appointment with your doctor you follow through with what was discussed during your visit. The ACPA Follow-Up tool provides you with this simple guide to ensure that you complete all the treatments/advice/recommendations. Keep in mind that you play a significant role in your health care.
Follow-Up From Your Visit PDF
Quality of Life Scale
The Quality of Life scale is provided in two formats, graphical and text. We invite you to explore both formats to see which one might better help you to communicate with your health care provider as well as family and friends.
Quality of Life Scale Graphical Format PDF
Quality of Life Scale Text Format PDF
Fibro Log
The Fibro Log can help you track the everyday things that have an impact on your pain. Please use this tool for discussion with your health care providers. This is not intended to be a diagnostic tool.
Fibro Log (Online Tool)
PDF version
Fibro Pain Map
This interactive tool can help you with pain management goals by helping you create a picture of your pain that you can share with your health care provider when you visit. Also the tool can help you track your progress over time.
Fibro Pain Map (Online Tool)
Where Does It Hurt? / Nerve Man
Neuropathic pain - otherwise known as nerve pain - is a type of chronic pain that occurs when nerves in the central nervous system become injured or damaged. With this online tool you can learn about the different parts of the body where nerve pain can manifest.
Nerve Man (Online Tool)
Important:
This information should not be used as a substitute for necessary consultations with a qualified health care professional to meet your individual needs. Always consult a medically trained professional with questions and concerns you have regarding your medical condition.