Defence and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS) PROM
From Webinar 3 in the B-EAGER Webinar Series: Using B-EAGER PROMs, presented by Professor Amie Steel.
The presentation focused on how the Defence and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS) PROM can help us move beyond simple numeric scores to a more functional understanding of our clients’ experiences.
DVPRS Downloadable & Scripts
We have provided a link to a downloadable copy of the DVPRS tool and below are the clinical scripts discussed in the webinar.
We suggest printing and laminating the DVPRS so your client can easily read it and select their response.
Amie designed the following scripts to help you integrate the DVPRS tool seamlessly into your practice: Revisit Amie’s explanation in Webinar 3: minute 27:00 – Watch Below
1. Introducing the DVPRS Scale
“Hi [Client Name], we are going to look at your pain a bit differently today using this Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale. Instead of just picking a number out of thin air, this chart connects your pain directly to how you are able to function. Take a look at the colors and descriptions—based on how those words describe what you are feeling right now, what number from 0 to 10 best matches your current pain?”
2. Validating the Rating
“Got it, you feel it’s a [Number]. According to the chart, that means your pain is [Read corresponding text, e.g., ‘interfering with your tasks’]. Does that sound accurate to you?”
3. The Past 24 Hours Check
- Transition to the Supplementary Questions: Explain that you want to see how this pain impacts their lifestyle.
- Ask the four domains: You query the client on Activity, Sleep, Mood, and Stress using the 0-10 range.
4. The 4 Supplemental Questions (Impact Domains)
“Great, thank you. Now, looking at the past 24 hours, I want to see how this pain is actually impacting your day-to-day life. On a scale of 0 to 10—where 0 is no impact and 10 is complete interference—how much has your pain…”
• Interfered with General Activity and moving around?
• Interfered with your ability to fall or stay Asleep?
• Affected your Mood or emotional well-being?
• Contributed to your overall Stress levels?
Perfect, I will record these numbers in your file so we can see exactly how the pain is affecting your day today and between each visit.”
Recommended Note Taking: DVPRS /10 (Activity: /10. Sleep: /10. Mood: /10. Stress: /10)
PROMS are designed to complement, not replace, our existing clinical records. Used alongside our usual note-taking practices, these Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) allow us to identify, measure, and track specific clinical targets—like sleep hygiene or stress management—regardless of the core pain level.
We hope you find these resources valuable for your clinic.
B-EAGER
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To grow research capacity for Bowen Therapy and Oncology Massage through collaboration, shared resources, and standardised approaches.
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A future where Bowen Therapy and Oncology Massage are recognised and integrated into health care systems as safe, effective, and valued therapies.