Clinicians need to understand the concepts of pain from a multifactorial perspective to assess the subjective experience of pain. 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.
About this paper
| Paper title | Pain Assessment |
|---|---|
| Subject | Pain and Pain Management |
| EFTS | 0.1250 |
| Points | 15 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2026 (Distance learning) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,774.00 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- MSME 711
- 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
Post Graduate Administrator
Divisional Services and Administration
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine
University of Otago, Christchurch
PO Box 4345, Christchurch, New Zealand
Tel +64 21 279 1423
Email msmandpainstudies.uoc@otago.ac.nz- More information link
- View more information on the Musculoskeletal and Pain Management Programmes website
- Teaching staff
Paper Co-ordinator: Dr Bronwyn Lennox Thompson
- Paper Structure
PAIN 712 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.
- 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. Interprofessional teamwork will be enhanced.
Clinicians need to understand the concepts of pain from a multifactorial perspective to assess the subjective experience of pain. 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 students' knowledge and confidence for managing the health problems of people experiencing pain.
About this paper
| Paper title | Pain Assessment |
|---|---|
| Subject | Pain and Pain Management |
| EFTS | 0.1250 |
| Points | 15 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (Distance learning) |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught and assessed remotely |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- MSME 711
- 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
Post Graduate Administrator
Divisional Services and Administration
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine
University of Otago, Christchurch
PO Box 4345, Christchurch, New Zealand
Tel +64 21 279 1423
Email: msmandpainstudies.uoc@otago.ac.nz- More information link
- View more information on the Musculoskeletal and Pain Management Programmes website.
- Teaching staff
Paper Co-ordinator: Dr Bronwyn Lennox Thompson
- Paper Structure
PAIN 712 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 online.
The only required textbook is "Pain: A textbook for health professionals." 3rd edition. 2024. edited by Van Griensven & Strong. 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. Interprofessional teamwork will be enhanced.