This practice guide describes an approach to psychological evaluation of the chronic pain patient who is being considered for surgery. It identifies a multitude of risk factors for poor surgical outcome and reviews research associated with each risk factor.

First Published in 1996. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

"The Phoenix is the mythological bird who rises anew from the ashes of its own funeral pyre. In their work on posttraumatic growth, Calhoun and Tedeschi put flesh and feathers on our hazy outline of this ancient symbol of resurrection. By focusing on the possibility of positive transformation after trauma, the authors urge clinicians to think outside the box, to consider all the ways in which the overwhelming energy of traumatic experience can be refocused on accelerating the dynamic of health instead of illness and injury."—Sandra L. Bloom, MDThe Sanctuary, Horsham Clinic, Ambler PA; Author of Creating Sanctuary: Toward thowever. In this important volume, Dr. Andrew Block provides the rationale for a systematic protocol for presurgical psychological screening for chronic pain syndromes. Dr. Block's extensive clinical experience and research background render him eminently qualified to serve in this capacity. The two greatest advantages of this volume are the research basis for the proposed protocol and the practicality of the recommendations. Dr. Block's model for presurgical psychological screening is detailed but user-friendly and readily accessible to behavioral health practitioners, even those who have little background in chronic pain or experience in presurgical screening. Carefully following the guidelines established here should go a long way toward providing patients with approach alternatives or complimentary treatments and ultimately improving surgical outcomes."—Dennis C. Turk, Ph.D.Director, Pain Evaluation and Treatment Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medi