Postgraduate Course: Pain - A Multidimensional Phenomenon (PAMA11067)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh Medical School |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Online Distance Learning |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course provides an introduction to modern pain management based on the biopsychosocial model within a multidisciplinary framework. |
| Course description |
This course is an introduction to the problem of pain within a multidisciplinary team framework and outlines the extent of the problem in the community, nationally and globally. It provides an overview of historical and philosophical models of pain and its management methods and how they have changed over time in relation to scientific research and discovery. This course provides an introduction to the biopsychosocial model of pain management which forms the basis for modern pain management. An introduction to the measurement of pain is examined and the interrelationship between various paradigms of health and illness are outlined. Participants also begin to consider and explore professional and ethical issues. Overall, this course provides an opportunity to examine, challenge and update the models and concepts of pain management that have guided your professional practice.
You will engage in learning through asynchronous and synchronous lectures and tutorials, selected online content (e.g. Podcasts, blogs, videos) regular peer supported learning through discussion boards and prescribed and extended reading.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2026/27, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
MVM Online Learning Block 1 |
| Course Start Date |
21/09/2026 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 5,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 15,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2,
Formative Assessment Hours 10,
Summative Assessment Hours 30,
Revision Session Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
34 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assessment and Feedback in this course is covered by the University of Edinburgh Assessment and Feedback Principles and Priorities. These can be found at this link https://edwebcontent.ed.ac.uk/sites/default/files/atoms/files/assessmentfeedbackprinciplespriorities.pdf .
The key principles that underpin assessment activities are evidence-based practice and the application of theory to clinical practice.
Assessment will consist of the following:
Assessment 1: Contribution to asynchronous Discussion Board 10% (2.5% x 4 weeks)
Assessment 2: Submission of a 2000 word written essay (90%)
Formative Assessment: Essay plan for final assignment 300-400 words
You are required to complete and receive a passing grade in the assessments in order to obtain a passing grade for this course. If you fail to make a reasonable attempt at any of the assignments, you risk a failing grade for the course which would normally have serious repercussions in your ability to achieve an award.
If you fail to make a reasonable attempt at any of the assessments in the course, you risk a failing grade for the course, which may have repercussions in your ability to achieve a final award in the programme.
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| Feedback |
Assessment and Feedback in this course is covered by the University of Edinburgh Assessment and Feedback Principles and Priorities. These can be found at this link https://edwebcontent.ed.ac.uk/sites/default/files/atoms/files/assessmentfeedbackprinciplespriorities.pdf .
Throughout your studies, you will receive regular feedback on your work. This helps to maximise the effectiveness of learning and teaching and enhances your performance. Feedback can be any comment from another person that may result in improving your learning and understanding. It is important to remember that feedback is not always in written form on a marked piece of work. Whilst feedback can take this form, most of the feedback you will receive during your university career may not associated with a mark.
Feedback is provided on all items of in-course assessment, both summative and formative. Formative feedback may take the form of group feedback where only salient points for the whole group are provided.
When marked work is returned to you, it is your responsibility to read and think about the feedback given and not just look at the mark. The feedback gives you an indication of what you did well, what you misunderstood and what you did not address correctly. If you have any questions, please contact the named Course Organiser. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Critically evaluate the definitions, models and concepts of pain and their relationship to your own professional practice
- Recognise and interpret barriers to effective pain management
- Appraise the value of epidemiological research in the field of pain management
- Critically reflect on the ethical issues inherent in pain research and practice
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Reading List
A list of Learning Resources will be provided to ensure access to appropriate and relevant resources to enable full participation in this course.
Details about the Learning Resource Lists can be found at https://www.ed.ac.uk/information-services/research-teaching-staff/resource-lists/information-for-students
Resource material will be provided to enhance each week's material. Examples of the variety of materials used can be seen below please note that this is indicative of what will be provided:
ARTICLE: Theories of pain: From specificity to gate control
Moayedi, Massieh ; Davis, Karen D Journal of neurophysiology109(1)2013-01-015 12
BOOK CHAPTER: Intellectual Milestones in Our Understanding and Treatment of Pain
G. F. Gebhartin Bonica's Management of Pain Ballantyne, Jane, 1948- ; Fishman, Scott, 1959- ; Rathmell, James P; Ovid Technologies, Inc.5th edition. Philadelphia Wolters Kluwer Healt h2019
ARTICLE:: Evaluating psychosocial contributions to chronic pain outcomes Meints, S.M ; Edwards, R.R Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry87(Pt B)2018-12-20168 182
ARTICLE: Heritability of catastrophizing: the biopsychosocial model in action
Fillingim, Roger BPain156(3)2015 03357 -
ARTICLE: Ethical decision making in pain management: a conceptual framework Carvalho, Ana Sofia ; Martins Pereira, Sandra ; Jácomo, António ; Magalhães, Susana ; Araújo, Joana ; Hernández-Marrero, Pablo ; Costa Gomes, Carlos ; Schatman, Michael Journal of Pain Research112018967 976
ARTICLE: What influences outcomes from inpatient multidisciplinary pain management programs A systematic review and meta-analysis Lewis, Gwyn N. ; Bean, Debbie J. The Clinical Journal of Pain 37 (7)2021-07-01504 - 523 |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Enquiry and lifelong learning:
Students will use skills in information retrieval and critical analysis to understand and evaluate the concepts and principals of inpatient pain management. Students will understand how this knowledge can inform clinical practice and improve outcomes for patients.
Aspiration and personal development
Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the role of the multi-disciplinary team in the delivery of principles. Students will have the opportunity to gain a specific understanding of how specific clinical interventions work together to ensure excellent inpatient pain management within the lens of the bio-psycho-social model of care.
Outlook and engagement
Students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to develop and improve in patient pain management within their clinical area of practice or in future clinical practice.
Research and enquiry
Students will demonstrate their ability to critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise research findings and incorporate new findings into existing practices to improve patient outcomes.
Personal and intellectual autonomy
Students will have the opportunity to consider how developments in in patient pain management could be made in their own clinical context/environment.
Personal effectiveness
The students who fully engage with the course over the 10 weeks will gain the most from the taught content and focus their time for self-directed learning. By maximising these opportunities, they will develop their own knowledge and understanding as well as contributing productively to other students learning.
Communication
Effective participation and engagement with course materials will involve active communication with tutors and other students. This will allow students to direct their learning so that their own self-identified learning needs are addressed on this course.
Skills For Success Framework (SFSF) https://graduate-attributes.ed.ac.uk/what-is-the-skills-for-success-framework
The academic experience at Edinburgh embeds:
Critical Thinking
Curiosity
Problem Solving
Collaboration
Reflection
Communication
Inclusivity
Adaptivity
Data and digital literacy
Individuality |
| Special Arrangements |
Delivered via online distance learning. |
| Keywords | biopsychosocial pain management approaches |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mrs Liz Colquhoun
Tel:
Email: liz.colquhoun@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Ewelina Skala
Tel: (0131 5)37 1000
Email: eskala2@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
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