biostudies-literatureUnknown2Bosdet LBackground: Assessment of pain largely relies on self-report. Hospitals routinely use pain scales, such as the Verbal Rating Scale (VRS), to record patients' pain, but such scales are unidimensional, concatenating pain intensity and other dimensions of pain with significant loss of clinical information. This study explored how inpatients understand and use the VRS in a hospital setting. Methods: Forty five participants were interviewed, with data analysed by thematic analysis, and completed a task concerned with the VRS and communication of other dimensions of pain. Results: Participants anchored their pain experience in the physical properties of pain, its tolerability, and its impact on functioning. Their relationship to analgesic medication, personal coping styles, Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland)723520https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8915699biostudies-literatureExploration of Hospital Inpatients' Use of the Verbal Rating Scale of Pain.PMC8915699Williams ACCBosdet LHerron KfalseExploration of Hospital Inpatients' Use of the Verbal Rating Scale of Pain.Background: Assessment of pain largely relies on self-report. Hospitals routinely use pain scales, such as the Verbal Rating Scale (VRS), to record patients' pain, but such scales are unidimensional, concatenating pain intensity and other dimensions of pain with significant loss of clinical information. This study explored how inpatients understand and use the VRS in a hospital setting. Methods: Forty five participants were interviewed, with data analysed by thematic analysis, and completed a task concerned with the VRS and communication of other dimensions of pain. Results: Participants anchored their pain experience in the physical properties of pain, its tolerability, and its impact on functioning. Their relationship to analgesic medication, personal coping styles, 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z20212025-04-27T01:07:35.126Z2025-04-06T18:06:48.321ZS-EPMC89156993529541310.3389/fpain.2021.723520