'A clinical interview will always reveal more about pain than any psychometric measure.' To what extent do you agree with this statement? Use examples of research you have studied to support your answer.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2019). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [12] Marks: use generic levels of response in table C.
2. [12] Syllabus: measuring pain: a self-report measures (clinical interview)
3. [12] Most likely (any other appropriate responses should be credited): For: the patient knows how intense the pain is and the patient knows the type of pain they are experiencing.
4. [12] the patient can explain and answer any question that may be asked.
5. [12] any pain measure e.g. a visual analogue scale is vague and reduces pain intensity to a number.
6. [12] Against: the patient uses vague terms 'its really bad' and may not use words understood by a practitioner
7. [12] a psychometric measure would be argued to be valid and realiable (such as the MPQ)
8. [12] a psychometric measure can include different sections (e.g. MPQ) including more than a patient would describe or a practitioner ask questions about.
9. [12] A pain observation e.g. UAB done reliably by a medical practitioner.