The following is a selection of tools for assessing pain and assessing and tracking the level of symptoms (some are patient reported).

Brief Pain Inventory (long form)
A pain assessment tool for use with cancer patients. Provides information on the intensity of pain (the sensory dimension) as well as the degree to which pain interferes with function (the reactive dimension).

Brief Pain Inventory (short form)

Brief Fatigue Inventory
A tool to rapidly assess the severity and impact of cancer-related fatigue.

Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS)
This tool is a nine-item patient-rated symptom visual analogue scale developed for use in assessing the symptoms of patients receiving palliative care.

McGill Pain Inventory- Short Form
A questionnaire incorporating a series of adjectives to describe the characteristics and intensity of pain.

Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS)
A scale used to assess 32 physical and psychological symptoms in three different dimensions: intensity, frequency, and distress.

Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale - Short Form (MSAS-SF)
The MSAS-SF is an abbreviated version of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, measuring 32 symptoms with one dimension.

Condensed Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (CMSAS)
The CMSAS is a condensed verison of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, measuring 14 symptoms with one dimension.

Needs at the End-of-life Screening Tool (NEST)
NEST is a comprehensive assessment and outcome measures instrument.

Palliative Care Outcome Scale (POS)
A 10-item scale (plus an open question) that was specifically developed and validated for palliative care and covers physical symptoms, patient and family or caregiver anxiety/fears and well being.  Please register to access this tool.

Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale
A visual analog scale to assess pain in pediatric patients. For permission to use the rating scale, please complete the author's online request form.