The British Pain Society aims to produce contemporary guidance, supported by available evidence, on clinical and other pain matters. Most British Pain Society guidelines have an accompanying information for patient leaflet. Documents are updated three yearly to incorporate relevant new information.
BPS Patient Publications
Managing pain after your surgery
Stimulated by the publication of the international consensus guidance on perioperative opioids, a number of organisations began to develop independent guidance for patients on postoperative opioids. Conversations on Twitter led to an international working party comprising two IASP chapters, professional bodies and service users to collaboratively produce single guidance.
This publication is also available in additional formats (e.g. A5 booklet for professional printing and Welsh language). These can be found here.
Understanding and managing pain after surgery
Over 7 million operations are performed in the UK each year, with the majority of these being day cases. The adoption of enhanced recovery protocols means that, following major surgery or trauma, inpatients are discharged earlier with the expectation that they will manage their pain and rehabilitation at home. Although pain is normal after surgery it does affect people and may slow their recovery.
Intrathecal drug delivery systems for treating pain and spasms
The updated version of booklet provides helpful information on intrathecal drug delivery systems that may support the patient in decision making regarding their treatment.
Opioids Aware
This resource, developed by UK healthcare professionals and policymakers, has been compiled to help patients make an informed decision about starting opioid therapy. Please note Opioids Aware is a web-based resource, funded by Public Health England and hosted by the Faculty of Pain Medicine, Royal College of Anaesthetists.
Understanding and managing long-term pain
The updated version of the popular booklet 'Understanding and Managing Pain' has been rewritten to encompass the latest evidence, guidance and expert opinion. It has been produced to help patients understand and manage their pain. Whether the pain is recent or long-term, severe or less severe, this booklet explores how to get the best out of the patient and healthcare professional partnership. It explains what pain is, what can be done about it and who can help.
Amitriptyline
This patient information leaflet has been prepared by a working party led by the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the RCoA with representation from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Pain UK, the Royal College of Nursing and the British Pain Society.
Duloxetine
This patient information leaflet has been prepared by a working party led by the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the RCoA with representation from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Pain UK, the Royal College of Nursing and the British Pain Society.
Gabapentin
This patient information leaflet has been prepared by a working party led by the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the RCoA with representation from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Pain UK, the Royal College of Nursing and the British Pain Society.
Nortriptyline
This patient information leaflet has been prepared by a working party led by the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the RCoA with representation from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Pain UK, the Royal College of Nursing and the British Pain Society.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
This patient information leaflet has been prepared by a working party led by the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the RCoA with representation from Pain UK, the Royal College of Nursing and The British Pain Society.
Pregabalin
This patient information leaflet has been prepared by a working party led by the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the RCoA with representation from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Pain UK, the Royal College of Nursing and the British Pain Society.
Participant info for pain management programmes
This document aims to provide updated guidance on what a pain management programme (PMP) is, its position within care plans for people with persistent (non-cancer) pain and desirable content.
Use of medicines outside of their UK marketing authorisation
This document is an information booklet prepared on behalf of the Association for Palliative Medicine and the British Pain Society. This leaflet will help patients understand some important aspects of medicine licensing regulations and how these issues may affect them.
Managing cancer pain
This publication is currently in progress of being updated.
Managing your pain effectively using "over the counter" medicines
Spinal cord stimulation for pain
February 2014 Update: The Chair of the publication working group has considered the review of this publication and as no new evidence is currently available the guidelines still stand. The publication will next be reviewed in Spring 2015.
This leaflet has been produced in conjuncton with the publication Spinal cord stimulation for the management of pain. The leaflet tells the patient about spinal cord stimulation and provides some information that may support the patient in decision making regarding the treatment.
Pain in older people: Reflections and experiences from an older person's perspective
Pain and problem drug use: Information for patients
PLEASE NOTE THIS GUIDELINE IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW
This leaflet can help patients understand their problem and helps patients work with their healthcare team to decide the most effective and safe treatments. It includes information about opioid medicines for pain relief, what healthcare teams need to know about the patient and why, assessing treatment and what a patient can expect from healthcare teams. Following a year-long consultation process, the final guidelines were launched at the Society's Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) in Glasgow on Thursday 26 April 2007.