SOCRATES (pain assessment)

SOCRATES is a mnemonic acronym used by emergency medical services, physicians, nurses, and other health professionals to evaluate the nature of pain that a patient is experiencing.

Uses SOCRATES is used to gain an insight into the patient's condition, and to allow the health care provider to develop a plan for dealing with it. It can be useful for differentiating between nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain.

Adverse effects SOCRATES only focuses on the physical effects of pain, and ignores the social and emotional effects of pain.

Procedure +SOCRATESLetterAspectExample QuestionsSSiteWhere is the pain? Or the maximal site of the pain.OOnsetWhen did the pain start, and was it sudden or gradual? Include also whether it is progressive or regressive.CCharacterWhat is the pain like? An ache? Stabbing?RRadiationDoes the pain radiate anywhere?AAssociationsAny other signs or symptoms associated with the pain?TTime courseDoes the pain follow any pattern?EExacerbating / relieving factorsDoes anything change the pain?SSeverityHow bad is the pain?

History SOCRATES is often poorly used by health care providers. Although pain assessments usually cover many or most of the aspects, they rarely included all 8 aspects.

See also History of presenting complaint Medical history OPQRST

References