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Module Specifications

Archived Version 2009 - 2010

Module Title Pain Management in Nursing Practice
Module Code NS277
School School of Nursing and Human Sciences

Online Module Resources

Level 2 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Module Aims
a. to impart an understanding of current pain theories relevant to the biopsychosocial, holistic model of pain management to achieve optimal quality of life. Module content will include (a) a life span approach to all aspects of pain experience including classifications and types of pain; genetic, social, cultural, sex and gender, ethnic and environmental influences on pain perception and experience: pain, stress, distress, anxiety, depression, PTSD and suicide ideation (c) the assessment of pain as a prerequisite for best practice and (d) pain as the fifth vital sign

b. to impart an understanding of · the WHO analgesic ladder; pharmaco and non pharmacotherapeutic interventions for pain management and symptom control; side effects and safety issues;; the role of CBT and CAM in pain management; the enhancement/development of enhanced coping, self efficacy and patient empowerment of the pain patient through support, health promotion and patient and healthcare professional education; pain prevention, the pain service in the context of health systems and holistic care provision; maintaining standards of best practice.

Learning Outcomes
Relate to demonstrating understanding of:
(a) current theories of pain (GCT, psychosocial) and the application of the biopsychosocial model; systems, social and ecological approaches to optimizing pain treatment and management; implications for the quality of life for the person with pain
(b) anatomy and physiology of pain; pain classification; acute, chronic malignant and nonmalignant pain; comordid pain conditions; genetic, social, cultural, sex and gender, ethnic, environmental and lifespan influences on a person’s pain perception and experience
(c) principles of quality in pain assessment; best practice concepts and techniques underpinned by systems, social, ecological and health promoting approaches to pain assessment and management; audit; basic communication theory and counselling skills (stage 1)
(d) pain as the fifth vital sign; management of acute pain; WHO analgesic ladder; patient controlled analgesia; pharmacotherapeutic interventions for pain management and symptom control; modes of administration; drug treatment side effects, risks and safety issues across the life span; rationale for the assessment, treatment and prevention of chronic pain; pain as a public health issue; reasons for undertreatment of pain
(e) psychological effects and mental health implications of pain for stress, distress, anxiety, depression, PTSD and suicide ideation; patient short, medium and long term health outcomes; non pharmacotherapeutic interventions: the role of CBT and CAM (acupuncture, hypnosis, relaxation techniques, massage) and exercise in pain prevention, management and enhancing patient coping, self efficacy and well being
(f) the multidisciplinary pain service/team: health systems; integrated care/referral pathways; specialization, assessment, treatment and management of the patient with acute, chronic nonmalignant or malignant pain; pain across the illness trajectory; patient and family empowerment through appropriate support, health promotion and education

Indicative Time Allowances
Hours
Lectures 36
Tutorials
Laboratories
Seminars 6
Independent Learning Time 33

Total 75
Placements
Assignments
NOTE
Assume that a 5 credit module load represents approximately 75 hours' work, which includes all teaching, in-course assignments, laboratory work or other specialised training and an estimated private learning time associated with the module.

Indicative Syllabus
Relate to demonstrating understanding of:
(a) current theories of pain (GCT, psychosocial) and the application of the biopsychosocial model; systems, social and ecological approaches to optimizing pain treatment and management; implications for the quality of life for the person with pain
(b) anatomy and physiology of pain; pain classification; acute, chronic malignant and nonmalignant pain; comordid pain conditions; genetic, social, cultural, gender, ethnic, environmental and lifespan influences on a person’s pain perception and experience
(c) principles of quality in pain assessment; best practice concepts and techniques underpinned by systems, social, ecological and health promoting approaches to pain assessment and management; audit; basic communication theory and counselling skills (stage 1)
(d) pain as the fifth vital sign; management of acute pain; WHO analgesic ladder; patient controlled analgesia; pharmacotherapeutic and nonpharmacotherapeutic interventions for pain management and symptom control; modes of administration; drug treatment side effects, risks and safety issues across the life span; rationale for the assessment, treatment and prevention of chronic pain; pain as a public health issue; reasons for undertreatment of pain
(e) psychological effects and mental health implications of pain for stress, distress, anxiety depression, PTSD and suicide ideation; patient short, medium and long term health outcomes; non pharmacotherapeutic interventions: the role of CBT and CAM in pain management and enhancing patient coping, self efficacy and well being
(f) the multidisciplinary pain service/team: health systems, integrated care/referral pathways: assessment, treatment and management of the patient with acute, chronic nonmalignant or malignant pain; pain across the illness trajectory; patient and family empowerment through appropriate support, health promotion and education
Assessment
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight%
Indicative Reading List
Essential
Ballantyme J (2006) The Massachusetts General Handbook of Pain Management 3rd Ed Philadelphia, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Barnason, S., Merboth, M., Pozehl, B. et al. (1998) Utilizing an outcomes approach to improve pain management by nurses: a pilot study. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 12, 28-36.

Closs, S.J., Nelson, E.A., & Briggs, M. (2008) Can venous and arterial leg ulcers be differentiated by the characteristics of the pain they produce? Journal of Clinical Nursing, 17, 637-645

Closs, SJ (1996) Pain and elderly patients: a survey of nurses'knowledge and experiences Journal of Advanced Nursing 23, 237-242

de Rond, M., de Wit R., van Dam, F. et al. (2001) The implementation of a Pain Monitoring Programme for nurses in daily clinical practice: results of a follow-up study in five hospitals Journal of Advanced Nursing 35(4), 590-598

de Rond, M., de Wit R., van Dam, F. et al. (1999) Daily pain assessment: value for nurses and patients. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 29, 436-446

Gordon, D.B. and Dahl, J.L. (2004) Quality improvement challenges in pain management. Pain, 107, 1-4.

Ling, J. (1999) Constipation, patients and lifestyles. European Journal of Pain, 3, (suppl) 17-22.

Keefe, FJ, Rumble, ME, Scipio CD, Giordano, LA & Perri LM (2004) Psychological Aspects of persistent Pain: Current State of the Science. The Journal of Pain, 5, (4) 195-211

Kovach, CR., Noonan,PE,. Griffie, J, et al (2002) The Assessment of Discomfort in Dementia Protocol Pain Management Nursing 3(1) (March), pp 16-27

Mackintosh, C. and Bowles, S. (1997) Evaluation of a nurse-led acute pain service. Can Clinical Nurse Specialists make a difference? Journal of Advanced Nursing, 25, 30-37

MacLellan, K (2006) Management of Pain: Expanding Nursing and Health Care Practice Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes

McCaffrey, M. and Pasero, C. (1999) Pain: Clinical Manual. 2nd Ed St Louis, MosbyMeldrum, M A (2003) A capsule history of pain management. JAMA, 290 2470-2475

Melzack (1999) From the gate to the neuromatrix. Pain Suppl 6 S121-126

McNeill JA, Sherwood, GD &Stark, PL (2004) the Hidden Error of Mismanaged Pain: A Systems Approach. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 28, 47-58

Paice, J (2007) Pharmacokinetics,Pharmacodynamics, and Pharmacogenomics ofOpioids Pain Management Nursing, 8 (3) September: pp S2-S5

Pud, D (2004)Personal Past Experience with Opioid Consumption AffectsAttitudes and Knowledge Related to Pain ManagementPain Management Nursing 5(4) (December), 2004

Sloman R., Rosen G., Rom M. et al. (2005) Nurses’ assessment of pain in surgical patients. Journal of Advanced Nursing 52(2), 125–132

Sloman, R.(1995) Relaxation and the relief of cancer pain. Nursing Clinics of North America, 30, 697-709

Sofaer, B., Moore, A.P., Holloway, I. et al. (2005) Chronic pain as perceived by older people: A qualitative study. Age and Ageing; 34: 462–466

Sofaer, B. (1998) Pain: Principles, Practice and Patients. 3rd Ed. Cheltenham, Stanley Thornes.

Sutton, LM., Porter,L.S. and Keefe, F.J. (2002) Cancer pain at the end of life: a biopsychosocial perspective. Pain, 99, 5-10.

White, P (2005) Biopsychosocial Medicine: an integrated approach to understanding illness. Oxford: OUP
For an extensive Supplementary Reading List please  contact Module Co-ordinator

Recommended Journals

  • Age and Ageing
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • PAIN Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
  • Pain Management Nursing
  • Pain Practice
  • PainWise
  • The Journal of Pain
  • Journal of Advanced Nursing
Programme or List of Programmes
BNGNBSc in Nursing (General)
BNIDBSc in Nursing (Intellectual Disability)
BNPYBSc in Nursing (Psychiatric)
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