Course overview
The aim of this course is to provide students with advanced understanding of the biological and psychosocial contributors to the pain experience and associated clinical assessment and management skills for patients with chronic pain states, and patients at risk of progressing to chronicity, within an multidisciplinary biopsychosocial framework. Theories of pain mechanisms; Epidemiology of persistent pain; theories for persistent pain; Education and self-management of persistent pain; Graded exposure and activity; Integrating pain sciences with manual therapy; Interprofessional roles and approaches in the management of persistent pain.
Course learning outcomes
- Apply the biopsychosocial approach to pain and describe the various psychological and neurobiological models which underpin it.
- Differentiate the contributing factors (biological and psychosocial) that influence pain behaviours and contribute to the chronicity of pain in clinical scenarios, and interpret the significance of these findings to the management of patients.
- Demonstrate ability to construct appropriate assessments of patients with chronic pain, and to monitor pain, disability and recovery using professionally accepted outcome measures.
- Formulate an appropriate physiotherapy management plan, based on pathobiological mechanisms and contributing factors, within a multidisciplinary framework. Adapt chronic pain management strategies to individual context and needs.
- Effectively communicate with patients and other health care personnel with respect to nature, prevention, assessment, and management of chronic pain.