Clinical pain assessment in the context of New Zealand society: principles, procedures and physical resources. The economic and health effect of pain on the New Zealand workforce.
Assessing pain, which is a subjective experience, requires clinicians to understand the concepts of pain from a biopsychosocial perspective. This paper provides students with a strong grounding in a range of biomedical, functional and psychosocial approaches for assessing musculoskeletal pain problems. Interprofessional teamwork is a fundamental aspect of this paper. The paper considers pain assessment integral to managing musculoskeletal problems and will enhance student's knowledge and confidence for managing the health problems of people experiencing pain.
| Paper title | Pain Assessment |
|---|---|
| Paper code | MSME711 |
| Subject | Musculoskeletal Medicine |
| EFTS | 0.1250 |
| Points | 15 points |
| Teaching period | First Semester |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $1,453.75 |
| International Tuition Fees (NZD) | $5,181.50 |
- Limited to
- MHealSc, MPhty, PGCertHealSc, PGCertMSM, PGDipHealSc, PGDipMSM, PGDipPhty
- Eligibility
- Suitable for appropriately qualified allied health professionals, such as medical practitioners, nurses, occupational therapists, osteopaths, physiotherapists, etc.
- Contact
- More information link
- View more information on the Musculoskeletal and Pain Management Programmes website
- Teaching staff
- Co-ordinator: Dr Bronwyn Lennox Thompson
- Paper Structure
MSME 711 consists of eight modules, taught sequentially, using both online resources and fortnightly teaching sessions.
Topics covered in this paper include modules on:- History and interview
- Imaging and diagnostic approaches
- Assessing risk factors in primary care
- Disability assessment
- Clinical pain measures
- Formulation and documentation
- Emerging issues
- Teaching Arrangements
- Material is delivered electronically and is distance taught. There are eight fortnightly online teaching sessions.
- Textbooks
There is no single textbook for this paper. Readings will be provided for students to access via the Library, with additional readings and other multimedia material provided via Blackboard.
Useful electronic reference texts are available from the Library, such as Melzack and Wall's Textbook of Pain (2013) (6th Ed), Edited by McMahon, Koltzenburg, Tracey and Turk, published by Elsevier.- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Information
literacy, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will have practical and clinically relevant knowledge of approaches to assess pain and the health conditions underlying pain. They will be familiar with evidence-based tools for assessing pain quality, location, intensity, and associated psychosocial constructs, including disability, that are considered important in the human experience of pain. Students will also develop skills in presenting relevant clinical assessment findings in a concise report format to medicolegal standards. Interprofessional teamwork will be enhanced.
