Welcome to your PAIN PASS
1 in 2 women feel their pain was dismissed because of their gender.
When it comes to recognising bias, here are some signs to look out for:
- Were you consistently interrupted?
- Did you feel dismissed when you explained your symptoms?
- Were assumptions made based on your gender? "It's normal for women..."
This free tool is designed to help you tackle bias and have a constructive conversation with your healthcare professional. Track your pain, record your symptoms and learn what to do when facing bias.
Let's get started...
Step 1: Remember to “PASS”
Unconscious bias exists all around us, even in healthcare.
Step 2: Have your details ready
Keeping notes, or an account of your symptoms, can make the most out of your time at your appointment. The Pain Pass can help you record these details.
For severe pain or if you're worried, always seek help immediately!
Step 3: Can’t find the words?
Finding the right words to describe your pain can help get you the correct diagnosis, faster.
Describing how your pain feels can be difficult. Here are some common terms that you might find useful to use in conversation with your doctor.
- Stabbing
- Burning
- Cramping
- Shooting
- Sharp
- Heaviness
- Aching
- Dull
- Radiating
- Twisting
- Pinching
- Tightness
- Spasms
- Throbbing
- Tingling
- Sporadic
- Constant
- Localized
- Gnawing
- Pulsing
Step 4: Does pain disrupt your life?
Knowing how your pain impacts your life can be useful in reaching a diagnosis.
Use this scale to explain how much your pain disrupts your life.
Explaining the everyday reality of your pain to a Healthcare Professional can help them understand you and your experience of pain as an individual.
Minimally
1I can carry on as normal
- 2
I’ve noticed some changes
- 3
I’m struggling more than usual and need help from others to manage
- 4
I’m noticing a lot of disruption to my life, sleep, work and family
Severely
5I can’t manage with my normal routine, everything is affected
Step 5: Things to remember
It's hard when you're asking for help, you don't have much time and there's so much to say.
Always remember the PASS acronym
Your family history is relevant; heart disease, diabetes, cancer, thyroid issues or any other conditions, do share it
Your pain matters, you are entitled to the right healthcare
If you feel you need additional support, consider bringing a close friend or family member with you to your appointment
Download and start now
Download your personal Pain Pass here to track and articulate your pain, helping you and your healthcare professional have more constructive conversations.