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Unit of study_
PAIN5021: Acute Pain
2026 unit information
This unit aims to provide a theoretical framework for the management of acute pain, to examine the biopsychosocial contributors that are important considerations in the development of acute pain conditions and their clinical management. Topics covered include the principles of pre-emptive analgesia and evidence of effectiveness in preventing pain, pharmacological management of acute pain including approaches such as patient controlled analgesia, adjunctive approaches in managing acute pain, the transition from acute to chronic pain, the role of clinician patient communication in the experience of acute pain and strategies to modify social contributors to pain.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Medicine and Health
| Study level | Postgraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Postgrad Coursework - SMS |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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This unit is case based and is only suitable for experienced clinicians |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Principles of evidence-based assessment and management of acute pain
- LO2. Critically evaluate issues surrounding the management of acute pain conditions.
- LO3. Communicate with colleagues and lay persons about acute pain conditions and their management
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 1 2026
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Online | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.