Outline

Overview

This unit of study is the capstone unit. It has been designed to provide you with an opportunity to draw together your learning from the core and elective units you have completed. It aims to help you synthesise this learning with your prior experience and, draw meaningful conclusions that will form the basis for further investigation, intellectual and/or professional growth.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Postgrad Coursework - SMS
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	PAIN5001 and PAIN5002
Corequisites ?	PAIN5003 and (PAIN5004 or PAIN5005 or PAIN5027)
Prohibitions ?	PAIN5025 or PAIN5006
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Elizabeth Devonshire, liz.devonshire@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Duncan Sanders, duncan.sanders@sydney.edu.au
	Elizabeth Devonshire, liz.devonshire@sydney.edu.au
	Claire Ashton-James, claire.ashton-james@sydney.edu.au
	Karen McCloy, karen.mccloy@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Contribution	Structured Online Discussion Module and case discussion	40%	Multiple weeks Due date: 09 Nov 2025 at 23:59	1000-1500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Disseminating Pain Information Prepare information and/or educate different target audiences about pain and its management	30%	Week 09 Due date: 12 Oct 2025 at 23:59	1000-1500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Review of Professional Pain Practice Review of professional practice	30%	Week 13 Due date: 09 Nov 2025 at 23:59	1500 - 2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assignment 1: Structured Online Discussion

The online discussion activity is conducted over multiple weeks, commencing Week 2. There are four (4) tasks students must complete during this timeframe. The first three tasks are module discussions and the final task are case discussions.

Assignment 2: Disseminating Pain Information

This assignment involves students developing materials to educate and communicate information about pain to specific target audiences. The assignment is tailored to the pathway students are undertaking and the specific requirements for each pathway are detailed in the Canvas unit.

Assignment 3: Review of Professional Practice

For the final assignment students reflect on their learning thoughout the degree program and document their refined approach to professional pain management practice as a result of their study.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (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 guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week -01	Orientation	Independent study (2 hr)
Week 01	Online Introduction	Independent study (8 hr)
Week 02	Module 1: Living with Pain	Independent study (20 hr)
Week 04	Module 2: Culture and Pain	Independent study (20 hr)
Week 06	Module 3: Social and Economic Costs	Independent study (20 hr)
Week 08	Stream Specific Activities (Standard Pathway, Orofacial Pain Pathway and Physical Therapies Pathway)	Independent study (60 hr)
Week 14 (STUVAC)	Unit Review	Independent study (10 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 complex nature of, and challenges associated with the management of pain conditions
LO2. Demonstrate a biopsychosocial approach in the assessment, treatment and management of pain problems
LO3. Describe the interactions between culture, suffering and pain
LO4. Collaborate effectively with other health professionals in the management of pain conditions
LO5. Communicate complex knowledge and ideas across a range of target audiences
LO6. Develop a personal ‘professional practice model’ that articulates your clinical practice in pain 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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

First time unit 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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

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

PAIN5029: Biopsychosocial Pain Management in Practice

Semester 2, 2025 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

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