The Three Questions Every Patient with Chronic Pain Should Ask Their Physician

In this episode, Dr. David Hanscom continues his discussion with Dr. David Tauben. He shares his insight that the key to healing chronic pain is for physicians to understand the isolation of patients with chronic pain and how important it is for them to listen to their patients. Ultimately, he believes, they must realize that the patient is the expert with respect to their experience of chronic pain. He also discusses in detail the three questions that every patient should ask their physician about their chronic pain. This can lead to a more collaborative and productive patient-physician relationship.

David Tauben, M.D., FACP is Emeritus Clinical Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, and recently retired Chief of the UW Division of Pain Medicine, board certified in both Internal Medicine and Pain Medicine, and has practiced as Primary Care physician for 30 years and Pain Medicine expert for over 25 years. Dr. Tauben is also UW Director of Medical Student Education in Pain Medicine and leads UW TelePain, an innovative tele-video-conferencing program delivering pain and addiction management educational consultative support to Pacific Northwest primary care providers.  He has been principal investigator for the UW’s NIH Pain Consortium Center of Excellence for Pain Education, a member of the NIH National Pain Strategy task force on Pain Education, and a founding and continuing member of the State of Washington Agency Medical Directors panel of clinician experts developing opioid prescription guidelines for chronic pain. He earned his BA in Philosophy at Yale University, Medical Degree at Tufts University, and completed his Residency training at the University of Washington.Pain, Chronic Pain, Healing,