Course description
Programme description
- Pain is the single most important healthcare topic.
- This programme deals with all dimensions of the topic of pain.
- Interdisciplinary pain management strategies form the basis of the clinical approach advocated by this program of study.
To encourage innovation amongst interprofessional groups including clinical and health psychologists, medical practitioners, nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists in the area of pain management, by enhancing an understanding of the theory and research-based evidence that underpins practice.
Programme format and assessment
Taught modules and research project.
Programme modules for MSc Pain: Science & Society
Clinical Aspects of Pain 1 (Core Module)
The first course unit will focus on the psychophysiology of pain and the role of cognition and affect in the response to and production of pain. Concepts of pain behaviour, the role of mental illness and higher centre constructs such as phantom pain will be included. The historical concepts of pain and the manner in which pain has been included in the Humanities will be key components to this course unit. The second course unit will focus on visceral and 'hidden pain' syndromes. Mechanisms of sympton production, clinical presentation and key aspects of management will be included for prototypical conditions including chest pain, pelvic pain, migraine and sympathetically maintained pains.
Clinical Aspects of Pain 2 (Core Module)
The first course unit will focus on the mechanisms, clinical presentation and management of acute pain and trauma. The management of pain will be reviewed in depth and will look at the whole spectrum of interventions used to manage acute and post-operative pain. The second course unit will focus on the mechanisms, clinical presentation and management of pain in the specialities of oncology and palliative care medicine. Attention will be given to the ethical and evidence base for approaches to management and the implication of end of life pain for clients, families and society.
Clinical Aspects of Pain 3 (Core Module)
The first course unit will focus on the role of the motor system in the response to and production of pain. Mechanisms of symptom production, clinical presentation and key aspects of management will be included for commonly occuring conditions and syndromes including, Non-Specific Arm Pain, Trigger Points, Fibromyalgia. The second course unit will focus on the painful back and will include an in-depth study of the anatomy, biomechanics, psycho-social aspects, clinical presentations and evidence based management of spinal pain.
Interdisciplinary pain management (Core Module)
This module will focus primarily on the management of pain using a biophysical approach. Both theoretical and practical approaches will be included and the module will be led by world reknowned experts in the clinical management of pain.
Neuroscience of Pain (Core Module)
This module will be involved with developing the student's theoretical knowledge of pain and its production, maintenance and control. All relevant biology will be covered and will range from molecular and genetic to system wide perspectives. The relationsip and impact of these mechanisms will be related to the clinical presentation of pain.
Research Methodology & Measuring Pain (Core Module)
This module of the course will be separated into two course units. The first will deal with the theoretical background to research and will include the investigation of different methodologies, systematic reviews, clinical trials, single case studies and statistics; the second will consist of a 14000 word research dissertation. This dissertation will be based on research sourced and undertaken by the student in an area of pain management or in basic science. Each student will have a project supervisor from the course team as well as support from the course director.
Duration
One year FT, two years PT, September to September.
