Spring 2024

An introduction to the physiological and psychological components of pain, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological management strategies. Cultural and social aspects of chronic pain are covered.

Considers the challenges that pain medicine practitioners and their patients experience as a result of inequity and prejudice within the healthcare system.

Introduction of pain classification and diagnosis to familiarize the student with a standardized approach to painful conditions.

Explores the societal issues related to pain, including the role of culture, ethnicity, caregiving, social and psychological factors related to pain and pain management.

Evaluation of patients suffering from pain, distinguishing between types of pain that may be acute or chronic.

Anatomical survey of the human musculoskeletal system, focused on common pathologies that generate pain.

Anatomy of peripheral and central nociceptors, molecular mechanisms that underlie primary responses, neural networks, and neural mechanisms involved in hyperalgesia and allodynia.

Collaborative research project or supervised internship (practicum) incorporating a service learning approach.

Collaborative research project or supervised internship (practicum) incorporating a service learning approach.

Multiple elements including weekly online discussions of cases; learning need assignments; defense of an 18 cases or scenarios e-Portfolio.

Multiple elements including weekly online discussions of cases; learning need assignments; defense of an 18 cases or scenarios e-Portfolio.

Public Policy and Legal Issues in Pain Medicine including the California Medical Board Guidelines for Pain Medication, CURES, and legislation related with the discipline.

Trace through history our collective understanding of pain by examining the people, theories, and technologies which have brought us to our modern understanding.

Focus on pain caused by nervous system dysfunction; assessment, physiology, diagnoses and treatment.

Information and demonstration on specific psychological treatments to decrease pain levels and manage pain flares.

Physical and Occupational Therapy techniques to assess and treat chronic pain.

Patients who suffer from chronic pain often fail to respond to basic treatments. Therefore it is crucial for clinicians to be familiar with different treatment options.

Foundational knowledge of orofacial neurogenic pain and headache disorders; prevalence, differential diagnosis, prevention and management.