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Study Pain and Pain Management at Otago

Pain is the most common reason for people to see a health professional.

It is a main feature of many health conditions, and the impact of pain on people’s lives is broad and invasive. If you have ever wondered why pain is so complex, or how to help people manage their pain more effectively, the postgraduate programme in pain and pain management will provide a good foundation of practice for you.

Apply for the Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc)

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Apply for the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc)

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Apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc)

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Who is the programme intended for?

Allied health and medical professionals involved in the care, rehabilitation and management of people experiencing pain problems, such as psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses, podiatrists, chiropractors and osteopaths.

What do our recent students say?

“Through my studies I gained deeper understanding of all aspects of pain and pain management. The interdisciplinary approach of the programme was incredible for cross pollination of ideas, and the tutors all brought a wealth of knowledge from their own experiences.”

– Dr Liz Edmonds
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (Pain and Pain Management)
Specialist Anaesthetist

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Qualifications

Pain and Pain Management is available as an endorsement for:

Candidates for these qualifications must be a graduate or possess an appropriate health professional qualification requiring at least three years' full-time tertiary study, and must have experience of, or be currently working in, the relevant field of health care.

These qualifications are available through Distance Learning. Some papers may have an on-campus component.

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Programme requirements

Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) endorsed in Pain and Pain Management

Papers

  • PAIN 710  Introduction to Pain

  • PAIN 711  Introduction to Pain Management

  • Two further approved papers (selected from PAIN 712  Pain Assessment, PAIN 713  Pain Neurobiology, PAIN 714  Biomedical Pain Management and PAIN 715  Psychosocial and Cultural Aspects of Pain) to the value of 30 points

Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Pain and Pain Management

Papers
  • PAIN 710  Introduction to Pain
  • PAIN 711  Introduction to Pain Management
  • PAIN 712  Pain Assessment
  • PAIN 713  Pain Neurobiology
  • PAIN 714  Biomedical Pain Management
  • PAIN 715  Psychosocial and Cultural Aspects of Pain
  • Further approved paper(s) to the value of 30 points

Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Pain and Pain Management

Thesis option
  • PAIN 710  Introduction to Pain
  • PAIN 711  Introduction to Pain Management
  • PAIN 712  Pain Assessment
  • PAIN 713  Pain Neurobiology
  • PAIN 714  Biomedical Pain Management
  • PAIN 715  Psychosocial and Cultural Aspects of Pain
  • Approved research methods paper(s) to the value of 30 points
  • A thesis (120 points)
Coursework option
  • PAIN 710  Introduction to Pain
  • PAIN 711  Introduction to Pain Management
  • PAIN 712  Pain Assessment
  • PAIN 713  Pain Neurobiology
  • PAIN 714  Biomedical Pain Management
  • PAIN 715  Psychosocial and Cultural Aspects of Pain
  • Approved research methods paper(s) to the value of 30 points
  • Further approved papers to the value of 60 points
  • A dissertation (60 points)

Papers

PAIN papers

Paper code Year Title Points Teaching period
PAIN710 2023 Introduction to Pain 15 points Semester 1
PAIN711 2023 Introduction to Pain Management 15 points Semester 2
PAIN712 2023 Pain Assessment 15 points Not offered in 2023
PAIN713 2023 Pain Neurobiology 15 points Semester 2
PAIN714 2023 Biomedical Pain Management 15 points Semester 1
PAIN715 2023 Psychosocial and Cultural Aspects of Pain 15 points Not offered in 2023

MSME papers

Paper code Year Title Points Teaching period
MSME701 2023 Clinical Diagnosis 15 points Semester 1
MSME702 2023 Musculoskeletal Tissues 15 points Semester 1
MSME703 2023 Musculoskeletal Disorders 15 points Semester 2
MSME705 2023 Regional Disorders - Spine 15 points Not offered in 2023
MSME706 2023 Regional Disorders - Limbs 15 points Not offered in 2023
MSME707 2023 Musculoskeletal Management 15 points Semester 2
MSME709 2023 Clinical Therapeutics 15 points Semester 2
MSME710 2023 Recreational and Sports Injuries 15 points Not offered in 2023

Contact details

Postgraduate Programmes Administrator
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine
University of Otago, Christchurch
Tel +64 3 364 0469
Email msmandpainstudies.uoc@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/christchurch/departments/orthomsm/postgraduate/

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