Chronic pain is more than just a number on a scale. For people living with arthritis and other persistent conditions, the question “What’s your pain level from 1 to 10?” often fails to capture what really matters: how pain affects sleep, mood, daily tasks, social life and sense of self.

That’s why we are pleased to share My Pain Assessment & Communication Tool (MPaCT). Developed with and by people living with pain, MPaCT is designed to open richer, more meaningful conversations between patients and their healthcare team — moving beyond the arbitrary 0–10 scale to capture the real story behind the pain.

Co-Led in Cooperation Between CAPA and Dragon Claw

This project was co-led by Linda Wilhelm, President of the Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance (CAPA), and Charmaine Jones, Director of Dragon Claw – an Australian patient group led by people living with arthritis. Linda and Charmaine brought deep lived experience to the work, identifying the limitations of existing tools, convening patient focus groups, drawing in real voices, and shaping the prototype into its final form. The work was also supported by the Chronic Pain Network, bringing a collaborative, patient-driven approach to every stage of development.

Why MPaCT Matters

• Co-Created by People with Pain: Unlike traditional tools, MPaCT was built collaboratively with those who know chronic pain firsthand.
• Fuller Picture: It documents more than intensity — including how pain disrupts sleep, concentration, mood, daily routines and participation in life.
• Action-Oriented Conversations: MPaCT supports patients and providers in identifying what’s really important and planning next steps together.
• Accessible & Free to Use: CAPA makes MPaCT available online so individuals, groups and clinics can adopt it without cost.

How to Use It