Fall 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.

Introduction into the complex area of treatment with opioids and other pharmacological options.

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

Explore the psychological and social perspectives that influence chronic pain, reinforcing the need to look beyond the initial physical diagnosis.

Explores opioid therapeutics including proper use, dosing, side effects and its management, use in special populations, and legal/ethical considerations for prescribers and dispensers.

Knowledge and ability to recognize fine differences in various common pain conditions.

Advanced neurophysiology of pain including immunology and epigenetics, neuropathic pain, inflammation, with a series of lectures and sessions to analyze clinical cases.

Conduct a systematic review, research question, searching the literature, summarizing the evidence and interpreting the findings.

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.

Treatment options in pain management; framework for integrative models of care.

Key concepts in palliative medicine and hospice care, ranging from management of common symptoms, to best practices in communication with patients and their families.