Pain Science for Clinical Practice (12074.1)

This unit provides an overview of historical and philosophical models of pain and its management methods over time. Participants will gain an understanding of pain experiences across the lifespan and biopsychosocial models underpinning community health behaviours/clinical presentations. Introductory skills in the understanding of contributing factors, behaviour change approaches, relationships between thoughts, beliefs and behaviours specific to health and how these inform clinical practice. Neuro-anatomical, physiological, pharmacological, and biochemical mechanisms involved in nociception, including peripheral and central sensitisation are discussed. Variances between acute and persistent pain presentation will be used to strengthen knowledge transfer to help make sense of pain. Holistic clinical assessment will be developed in a pain disorder context, further developing the use of validated screening tools and person-centred care.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Develop a preliminary understanding of pain science and the principles of pain management within a multidisciplinary framework;
2. Analyse pain mechanisms and apply current theories on clinical manifestations of pain relevant to practice;
3. Distinguish between acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain presentations and evaluate the implications for assessment and management of people in pain;
4. Evaluate the environmental, cultural and social implications associated with the lived experience and the management of musculoskeletal pain; and
5. Appraise intervention, assessment strategies, and outcome measures for pain management with evidence-based clinical reasoning.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development

Prerequisites

9808 Regional Anatomy and Physiology

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.