DFM3003

Pain management ( 4 points, SCA Band 3, 0.083 EFTSL)

Leader: Dr G Wallace

Offered:
Clayton First semester 2006 (OCL)
Clayton Second semester 2006 (OCL)

Synopsis: This elective covers the following; basic definition, anatomy, physiology of pain, psychological aspects of pain, evaluation of the patient with pain, role of the GP in pain management, role of pain clinics, specific disorders - migraine, neck and facial pain, TMJ, thoracic and lumbar pain, musculoskeletal pain including fibro myalgic, cancer pain and pain management in palliative care.

Objectives: On completion of this unit students should be able to: 1. Apply a better understanding of pain physiology and assessment in their practice; 2. Understand the pain experience and its ramifications, recognising that whole person care is essential; 3. Use a range of practical pain management strategies and techniques in dealing safely and effectively with patient's pain; 4. Address the complex issue of spinal pain with a logical diagnostic and management approach; 5. Recognise the concept of soft tissue rheumatism (localised inflammatory soft tissue disorders); 6. Recognise the wide range of causes of headache and develop a framework for a diagnostic approach; 7. Use the fibromyalgia syndrome model in their approach to a number of other painful chronic musculoskeletal diseases and conditions; and 8. Identify the particular needs of patients suffering cancer pain, and use a range of strategies, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological, in alleviating pain.

Assessment: Pre and post course clinical audit (30%) + Assignment 1 (30%) + Assignment 2 (40%)