OBJECTIVES: Patient satisfaction is a multi-facet construct and an important parameter of patient reported outcomes (PRO). In order to be able to measure chronic pain patient's satisfaction, the relevance of different dimensions were identified, with a focus on the role of analgesic medication. METHOD: First, a literature review was conducted to summarise the current instruments of PRO measures. To identify relevant dimensions of patient's satisfaction, 4 focus groups were held (10 patients with tumour pain, 10 with non-tumour pain). In semi-standardised interviews, patients personal pain experience and articulation was explored, including their satisfaction with analgesics in different dosage forms (oral, transdermal). RESULTS: Besides HRQoL and other parameters, the PRO referred to the literature also include a reference to the importance of data relating to patient satisfaction. To date, instruments used to survey patient satisfaction have three dimensions: 1.) Satisfaction with clinical care (doctor-patient relationship, competence of nursing staff, etc.) 2.) Satisfaction with physical surroundings (medical facilities, organisational structure, etc.) 3.) Satisfaction with clinical outcomes (result of treatment, impairment due to side effects, etc.) In the focus groups patients reported that analgesics and their application forms have an impact on acceptance, compliance, and on several areas of life such as sleep and life style. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the focus groups support the assumption, that at least one further dimension of patient's satisfaction exists: satisfaction with medical treatment. This aspect has not yet been taken up by theoretical or empirical research. Due to this, world wide there is no instrument for recording this dimension today. The need to develop a new questionnaire to establish patients level of acceptance and satisfaction with their medication was specified and suggestions for a 4 dimensional model of patient's satisfaction were made.