Introduction

The Analgesia module aims to familiarise students with the broad approaches to pain management, and provide them with a usable framework for approaching the patient in pain. This can be applied to inpatient and primary care settings.

This module forms part of the Core Curriculum.

• It requires <30 minutes preparation

• It can be taught in 1 hour

Teaching approach

As with all modules, familiarise yourself with the NPMT principles.

Pain is a subjective sensation, which is multidimensional and can comprise of physical, social, cultural and spiritual components. Each of these components, when present, can act in synergy to multiply the subjective pain experienced.

The session aims to:

• Help students construct a framework for their approach to pain management

• Consider the diagnosis of different types of pain, and assessment of modifying and maintaining factors

• Consider how aspects of patient history and co-morbidities may impact therapy

• Outline what goes into documenting a clear analgesic plan in patient records

• Discuss monitoring of pain, adverse effects, and titration of therapy

• Consider the treatment of chronic (non-malignant) pain, and treatment of pain in palliative care setting

• Enable students to recognise when to call for help, and who to contact

There is little formal teaching on the management of pain at medical schools and surveys of final-year medical students and graduates suggest a lack of confidence in their ability to effectively manage pain. This session should aim to make students more familiar with the broad options for pain management, and when to seek help.

Tips & Tricks

Here are some tips how to run the session effectively:

• Be as interactive as possible

• Use cases to discuss the pain ladder, and various methodologies of pain management

Here are common pitfalls to avoid:

• Going into too much detail on a workup or high level management.

From our feedback, the more interactive and ‘put on the spot’ you make the session, the more valuable it will be. Having students think on the spot and share their ideas in a non-threatening environment is key to making the session light-hearted and collaborative so that they can apply what they have learnt at medical school to a clinical patient.

Resources:

• Curriculum pack

• Supporting resource: Powerpoint presentation

Other Resources

• No prescribed resources. Instead, look at the files/images/documents which helped you learn about analgesia. Adapt and use what worked well for you.

• ANZCA Opioid Dose Equivalence