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

Knowledge

After completing the course, the candidate should:

• have a broad overview of physiological and psychological aspects related to acuta and postoperative pain.
• have an in depth understanding of principles for evidence based treatment of acute and postoperative pain.
• have an in depth knowledge of the different drugs used in treatment of acute and postoperative pain, including side effects, indications and contraindications.
• have a deep understanding of the consequences of poorly relieved postoperative pain.
• have and in depth knowledge of the differences between acute and chronic pain, and the treatment principles which apply when acute pain develops into chronic pain.

Skills

After completing the course, the candidate should be able to:

• suggest an appropriate treatment strategy for different types of acute and postoperative pain.
• individually tailor the treatment of acute and postoperative pain to specific patient groups, such as children or patients with substance abuse disorders.
• develop drafts of clinical guidelines at own workplace addressing treatment/evaluation of acute or postoperative pain.
• evaluate acute and postoperative pain within an holistic framework.

General competency

After completing the course, the candidate should be able to:

• explain basic understanding of the principles of knowledge-based practice in acute and postoperative 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. If few students register for the course, learning activities can be changed. The course will be effectuated under the conditions that a sufficient number of students are registered.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercise

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

Clinical experience with postoperative pain management is an advantage. The course is primarily aimed at nurses, but also relevant for other professions involved in postoperative treatment.

Required previous knowledge

Completed bachelor's degree in nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, radiography or social care, or completed professional study in medicine or psychology. Applicants with a bachelor's degree in social sciences or master's degree in clinical nutrition physiology (5 years) and pharmacy (3-2) can be admitted after individual assessment. Although the course is open to several health professions, the experience is that the course is best suited for nurses or doctors. Clinical efficacy with postoperative pain preservation is a significant advantage.

Course materials

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

Credit reductions