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    Overview

    The current understanding of the various biomedical modalities to treat musculoskeletal pain, including acute and chronic pain, nociceptive / inflammatory, neuropathic, and nociplastic mechanisms.

    Many patients with pain utilise biomedical interventions, including medications, to manage their pain. This paper aims to assist clinicians to develop a broader understanding of the evidence around currently available biomedical approaches and interventions used in the diagnosis and management of both acute and chronic pain conditions. Discussion covers the evidence-based use of specific interventions including a wide ranging look at medications, injections and surgery for pain conditions. Specialist pain physicians will introduce you to their approach to diagnosis, formulation and decision making around treatment options.

    About this paper

    Paper title Biomedical Pain Management
    Subject Pain and Pain Management
    EFTS 0.1250
    Points 15 points
    Teaching period Semester 1 (Distance learning)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,644.75
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Prerequisite
    PAIN 711 or MSME 708
    Limited to
    MHealSc, PGCertHealSc, PGDipHealSc, PGDipPhty, MPhty
    Eligibility

    Suitable for appropriately qualified health professionals.

    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

    Teaching staff

    Paper Convenor: Dr Lizi Edmonds

    Paper Structure

    PAIN714 consists of eight modules using both online resources and teaching sessions.

    Topics and modules covered in this paper include:

    • An introduction to biomedical pain management, including a consideration of patient and treatment outcomes
    • Treatment of acute pain and primary analgesic medications
    • Opioid analgesic use in pain including cancer pain
    • Approaches to the patient in pain, diagnosis and treatment from a Specialist pain physician perspective
    • The evidence-base for interventional pain diagnosis and treatments
    • Surgical pain management
    • Analgesic development and adjunct analgesic options
    Teaching Arrangements

    This Distance Learning paper is taught remotely.

    Material is delivered electronically and is distance taught. There are eight fortnightly online teaching sessions delivered via Zoom Videoconferencing.

    Textbooks
    There is no required text. Some readings are provided and others can be accessed via online library resources.
    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Scholarship, Critical thinking, Ethics, Information literacy.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes

    Students who successfully complete the paper will;

    • Have developed a critical appreciation of the role of biomedicine and biomedical interventions in pain management and how to use this knowledge in their own practice to communicate more effectively with patients
    • Develop enhanced understanding of currently available analgesic and other medications used for the pharmacological management of various types of pain, including risks and limitations
    • Gain further knowledge around non-pharmacological biomedical management options, including surgery, for controlling pain, including indications, efficacy and limitations
    • Have enhanced understanding of the process and approach used by Specialist pain physicians in their review, diagnosis, formulation and management of patients presenting with pain, including their role within the wider interdisciplinary team
    Assessment details

    The paper has no end of semester examination but does have internal assessment.

    Timetable

    Semester 1

    Location
    Christchurch
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught through Distance Learning
    Learning management system
    Blackboard
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