School for Health, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
FH50127 Pain management |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Masters |
| Modular: no specific semester |
| Assessment: OT100 |
| Requisites: |
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Aims: The aim of this Unit is to introduce the aetiology, consequences, assessment and management of pain in rheumatological conditions and develop the multidimensional model of pain into a multidisciplinary approach to its management.
Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding After taking this unit the student should be able to: * demonstrate a critical understanding of the mechanism, aetiology, epidemiology and consequences of acute and chronic pain with particular reference to rheumatology. * assess the multidimensional components of pain and relate these to both the diagnosis and management of the underlying clinical condition. * critically appraise pharmacological, physical and psychological methods of pain management. These learning outcomes will be taught and assessed. Skills: On completion of this unit students should be able to: * formulate a diagnosis and management plan of the underlying clinical conditions. * plan and manage their learning through reflecting on and analysing their own learning needs. * integrate and critically evaluate information gathered from a wide range of resources including the unit resources, text books, journal articles, web pages and other online resources. An appreciation for a hierarchy of evidence should be displayed. * demonstrate effective communication with patients, colleagues and tutors including through asynchronous online discussions. These learning outcomes will be facilitated and some may be assessed. Content: The Unit will include the extent of chronic pain in the community, models of pain and normal and neuropathic pain, the central mechanisms of pain control, phases of pain and the brain's contributions to pain responses. Issues of pain in rheumatological practice will include OA, osteomyletis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Specifically the Unit covers: * The anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of pain. * Acute and Chronic pain - psychological and pathological aspects. * Pain in the clinical situation - the presentation and assessment of specific pain-related syndromes. * The pharmacological, physical and psychological management of pain. |