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Unit outline_

PAIN5003: Pain Treatment and Management Principles

Semester 2, 2023 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

To introduce participants to the core principles of pain assessment, treatment and management. Participants consider the biopsychosocial model and the scientific basis for assessment, diagnosis and treatment. They explore principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, together with routes of drug administration. The role of physiotherapy and rehabilitation management, and the use of procedures such as neural blockade, simulation techniques and surgery are also considered.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Discipline of Pain Medicine
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Elizabeth Devonshire, liz.devonshire@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Timothy Austin, t.austin@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Short answer questions
Short answer questions
20% Mid-semester break
Due date: 24 Sep 2023 at 23:59
1200-1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Case review
Case study
60% STUVAC
Due date: 12 Nov 2023 at 23:59
3000-4500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Small continuous assessment group assignment Module discussions and reflections
Online discussion and written reflections
5% Week 13
Due date: 29 Oct 2023 at 23:50
See unit guide
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Online task Roundtable discussion and reflection
Online discussion and written reflective essay
15% Week 13
Due date: 29 Oct 2023 at 23:59
500-750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Assignment 1. Roundtable discussion: The focus of this discussion activity is a multidisciplinary team discussion about the management of a complex clinical case. The activity is conducted over a 6 week timeframe and it is comprised of two main parts: roundtable discussion (group task) and written reflection (individual task). The first task involves participating in a role play based on a given scenario. This is a group task and regular participation by all students is essential. The individual task requires students to review and report on the roundtable discussion activity.
     
  • Assignment 1b. Module discussions and written reflections:  Participation in the module discussion forums will increase  knowledge of this topic area and assist students to complete the written assignments. At the end of every module, students will need to provide a brief reflection on the two provided questions.
     
  • Assignment 2. Short answer questions: Students are required to provide written response to some given questions.
     
  • Assignment 3. Case review: The purpose of this assignment is to give students an opportunity to apply theory to practice in the form of a case review. Students need to read the referral letter provided and then respond to the associated short answer questions. 
     

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Meets the unit requirements to an exceptional standard

Distinction

75 - 84

Meets the unit requirements to a very high standard

Credit

65 - 74

Meets the unit requirements to a good standard

Pass

50 - 64

Meets the unit requirements to an acceptable standard

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Penalties for late submission will be applied in accordance with the University Assessment Procedures, 2011 (Clause 7A).

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week -01 Orientation Individual study (2 hr)  
Week 01 Online introduction Individual study (8 hr)  
Week 02 Module 1: Diagnostic strategies Individual study (20 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Module 2: Pharmacology principles Individual study (20 hr) LO3
Week 06 Module 3: Pharmacological management Individual study (20 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Module 4: Psychological approaches Individual study (20 hr) LO5 LO6
Week 10 Module 5: Functional rehabilitation Individual study (20 hr) LO5 LO6
Week 12 Module 6: Procedural interventions Individual study (20 hr) LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Active participation in online discussion forums is a compulsory activity for completion of this unit of study. It is expected that students will contribute unique content and/or reflections on other students’ postings at least twice per week.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There is no prescribed textbook for this unit of study. All required readings are available online via Canvas and the University Library.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Demonstrate a rational approach to diagnosis
  • LO2. Identify the tools and techniques to assess and diagnose pain problems
  • LO3. Discuss/explain the basic principles of pharmacology
  • LO4. Discuss the use of drugs to manage pain based on research evidence
  • LO5. Describe available treatment options for the management of pain and the underlying principles for their mode of action
  • LO6. Draw on current research evidence about efficacy, side effects, ethics and costs of various treatment in clinical practice

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes made since the last time the unit was offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.