Outline

Overview

The unit provides an introduction to a range of pain conditions. Participants are encouraged to integrate and apply previous learning to specific pain problems, acute, chronic and cancer pain. Recent advances and specific issues in the management of acute pain, musculoskeletal pain, visceral pain, cancer pain, neuropathic pain, pain in children and older people are considered.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	PAIN5004
Academic unit	Discipline of Pain Medicine
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	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	Online debate and written reflection Online discussion and written reflective essay	15%	Multiple weeks	Weeks 8-13; 500-750 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Module discussions and written reflections Online discussion and written summaries	5%	Multiple weeks	From Week 2 to Week 13 (inclusive)
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Multiple choice questions Development of multiple choice questions (MCQs)	30%	Multiple weeks	1800-2200 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Case report Written report	50%	Week 13	3500-4000 words
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Assignment 1a. Online Debate and Written Reflection: This task has both group and individual assessment components. For the group part, students will be divided into groups to discuss the statement – “Pain is merely a symptom not a disease”. Each group will be allocated to take a position, for or against this statement. This is a group task, therefore regular participation by all students is essential. For the individual assessment, students are required to review their contribution to the debate by reflecting on their participation and input into the activity. Students will write and submit a short statement to justify their participation in the 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 written reflection on the two provided questions.
Assignment 2. Multiple choice questions: In this assignment students need to develop 6 multiple choice questions that would assess someone's understanding of each of the pain conditions outlined in this unit (i.e. 1 question for each module). The assignment is divided into 2 parts, with each part addressing the following pain conditions:
- Part 1 – a) Acute pain, b) Visceral pain and c) Musculoskeletal pain.
- Part 2 – a) Neuropathic pain, b) Cancer pain and c) Pain in children or pain in elderly.
Assignment 3. Case report: The purpose of this assignment is to give students an opportunity to explore two pain conditions in more depth. Students will choose from the list of pain conditions and areas they will be provided with. Students are encouraged to explore conditions that they have come across in their clinical practice. However, they can also draw on conditions derived from a personal contact (e.g. family or friend) or the media.

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 unit requirements to an exceptional standard
Distinction	75 - 84	Meets unit requirements to a very high standard
Credit	65 - 74	Meets unit requirements to a good standard
Pass	50 - 64	Meets 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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week -01	Orientation	Individual study (2 hr)
Week 01	Online introduction	Individual study (8 hr)
Week 02	Module 1: Acute pain	Individual study (20 hr)
Week 04	Module 2: Musculoskeletal pain	Individual study (20 hr)
Week 06	Module 3: Visceral pain	Individual study (20 hr)
Week 08	Module 4: Neuropathic pain	Individual study (20 hr)
Week 10	Module 5: Cancer/HIV pain	Individual study (20 hr)
Week 12	Module 6: Pain in children and the elderly	Individual study (20 hr)

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

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Discuss the incidence and prevalence of specific pain conditions
LO2. Describe the clinical presentation of specific pain conditions
LO3. Identify the underlying mechanisms of specific pain conditions
LO4. Apply the principles of management to specific pain conditions and populations.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last 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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

PAIN5004: Pain Conditions

Semester 1, 2022 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect