Course content

The course is intended for health professionals working with acute and postoperative pain. It will particularly be of relevance to professionals working in postoperative units or surgical wards, but is relevant for all health professionals involved in perioperative treatment. The course will cover organizational aspects, pharmacology and clinical issues. The students will gain detailed insight in all treatment modalities which are used in treatment of acute and postoperative pain and knowledge about treatment of acute pain in special patient populations. A "whole person"-approach, and multimodal and interdisciplinary treatment, will be emphasized.

Learning outcome

After completion of the course KLH3202 the students should be able to:

• describe the prevalence and consequences of acute and postoperative pain
• describe the physiology of acute and postoperative pain, including the inflammatory responses
• describe the consequences of the adrenerg response to severe pain
• describe appropriate organization of pain treatment and acute pain services in hospitals
• describe the modes of action, indications, contraindications and complications for analgesics and interventions used for acute and postoperative pain
• provide procedure-related pain relief * describe mechanisms for the transition from acute to chronic pain.
• evaluate acute and postoperative within a bio-psycho-socio-spiritual model
• evaluate and treat acute and postoperative pain in special patient populations such as children, cognitively imparied, patients with drug addiction and patients with chronic pain 

Learning methods and activities

Lecures and group work that will be coordinated in time with other courses in the master's programme in Clinical Health Science. Compulsory activities: -One home assignment graded as "pass".

Compulsory assignments

• Exercise

Required previous knowledge

The course is primarily intended for students admitted to the master's programme in Clinical Health Science. Other students may be accepted after an individual evaluation. Clinical experience with postoperative pain management is an advantage. 

Course materials

Course materials will be announced at the start of the semester.

Credit reductions