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Unit of study_

PAIN5021: Acute Pain

Semester 1, 2021 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The aims of this unit are to provide a theoretical framework for the management of acute pain, to examine the specific contributors that are important in the development of acute pain conditions and to examine pharmacological and other approaches used in the management of acute pain. Topics that will be covered will 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 and the transition from acute to chronic pain.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PAIN5021
Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

this unit is case based and is only suitable for experienced clinicians.

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Claire Ashton-James, claire.ashton-james@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Jane Standen, jane.standen@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Structured online discussion and written reflection
Online discussion and written report
25% Multiple weeks Week 2 to Week 14; 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Funding presentation
Written
25% Week 09 1500-2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Topic review
Written
50% Week 13 3000-3500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2

Assessment summary

  • Assignment 1a. Structured online discussion and 1b. Written reflection: This case based discussion activity is conducted from Week 2 to Week 14, with six cases you must discuss during this timeframe. Each case is facilitated through the online discussion forum. Note: your active participation in the online discussion is an ESSENTIAL requirement to a passing grade in this unit.
     
  • Assignment 2. Development of fund raising presentation: You need to develop an hour-long power point presentation and develop a handout that can be distributed. Following the presentation you are to write a 500 word letter.
     
  • Assignment 3. Topic review: Choose 2 topics and critically review the literature as it relates to each of these topics. Each topic review should be approximately 1500 - 2000 words in length.
     

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 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.

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) LO1
Week 01 Introduction to acute pain Individual study (10 hr) LO1
Week 02 Case 1: Analgesia and pregnancy Individual study (20 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Case 2: Analgesia for colorectal surgery Individual study (20 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 06 Case 3: Management of burn patient Individual study (20 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 08 Case 4: Trauma pain in the elderly Individual study (20 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 10 Case 5: Day surgery pain management Individual study (20 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 12 Case 6: Post amputation pain Individual study (20 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 14 (STUVAC) Review Individual study (8 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

Active participation in online discussions is a compulsory aspect of this unit of study. Students cannot pass the unit without passing the online discussion assessment.

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. 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

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 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.