Several specialists ask patients questions about their pain and medical history to determine their strengths, abilities, needs and preferences. Depending upon their particular needs, patients may meet with a pain anesthesiologist, psychiatrist, psychologist, physical therapist or occupational therapist. Patients who need to meet with any other specialist can be referred.

Patients may have to answer some of the same questions when meeting with each team member. Although the questions are similar, each specialist is concerned with a specific aspect of the patient's health and will gain a different perspective of a patient's condition. A patient's responses help team members determine the right course of treatment.

After each specialist has met with a patient, they meet together to discuss the evaluation results. Together they will decide the best treatment approach to get patients back on the road to recovery.

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