Challenges in Pain Management

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• Develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of theories of pain.
• Critically reflect on biological, psychosocial and cultural approaches to pain.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of pharmacokinetic principles in order to provide high quality and effective care.
• Critically analyse and appraise barriers in pain management.
• Demonstrate self direction in taking a pain history, evaluating the findings and suggest suitable evidence based pain assessment tools.
• Critically reflect upon and analyse the ability to assess and manage complex pain from a multidimensional approach.

Indicative module content includes:

• Physiology of pain
• Multi-dimensional aspects of pain
• Psychological and socio-cultural approaches
• Pain prevention strategies
• Pain assessment strategies
• Complementary therapies
• Pharmacokinetic principles
• Opioid and non-opioid drugs
• Complex pain syndromes, eg phantom limb pain, referred pain
• Implement pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches
• Barriers to pain management
• Pain and cognitive changes/ disabilities.

For the 2020/21 curriculum our CPD modules will be delivered using hybrid learning. This means that depending on the subject and content of learning and teaching, modules may be delivered solely online or via a combination of face to face and online delivery, however for all programmes face to face contact time will be reduced, as per Government guidelines and to ensure the reduction of risk for all. Further information can be sought from the course leader (see below).

Usual learning and teaching methods include:

• Group discussions and presentation
• Case studies/narratives
• Lectures and discussion
• E-learning.

Reflection on pain management practice using a case study approach.

Word count: 3,000

Take a look at the module reading list.