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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2026/2027

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Edinburgh Medical School : Pain Management

Postgraduate Course: Pain - A Multidimensional Phenomenon (PAMA11067)

Course Outline
SchoolEdinburgh Medical School CollegeCollege of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)
Course typeOnline Distance Learning AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryThis 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.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Critically evaluate the definitions, models and concepts of pain and their relationship to your own professional practice
  2. Recognise and interpret barriers to effective pain management
  3. Appraise the value of epidemiological research in the field of pain management
  4. Critically reflect on the ethical issues inherent in pain research and practice
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.
Keywordsbiopsychosocial pain management approaches
Contacts
Course organiserMrs Liz Colquhoun
Tel:
Email: liz.colquhoun@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Ewelina Skala
Tel: (0131 5)37 1000
Email: eskala2@exseed.ed.ac.uk
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