Course Outline;

The Course Aim

To increase the participants understanding of the complex and multi-faceted nature of persistent pain and how to manage it.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the session participants will have an increased understanding of:

The basic neurophysiology of pain pathways and how this knowledge can improve prescribing decisions

Factors that influence pain

Non-pharmacological options for manging and supporting patients in pain

The role of analgesia in managing persistent pain

The evidence base that supports safe pain prescribing

The complexity of managing patients with co-morbidities

By the end of the session participants should be able to:

Understand the principles of pain management

Be able to clinically reason their prescribing decisions based on their knowledge of the physiology of pain.

Challenge the notion of ‘complex’ when dealing with patients with persistent pain

Recognise the role pharmacology has to play in the management of pain but also acknowledge the limitations and dangers inherent in prescribing for pain relief.

Understand the evidence base and current guidelines

Course content

Introduction to pain pathways and mechanisms

A look at factors that influence the perception of pain and the impact it has on people’s lives.

A review of current pain medication and what part of the pain pathway it targets.

Exploring the evidence base for the pharmacological management of pain.

Non-pharmacological management options

Putting it all together: clinical reasoning in pain prescribing.

It Hurts!, Cheshire & Merseyside CPD ONLY