Medicines and medical devices save lives but they can be costly and can have serious adverse effects. Value-laden decisions are continuously being made at individual, institutional, national and international levels regarding the medicines and devices we need, want and can afford. In this unit of study, we will explore and critique global and national policies and processes related to medicines and medical devices, examining how research and development agendas are set; how medicines and other health technologies are assessed and evaluated; and how new technologies are translated into practice. We will also explore broader trends such as globalisation, commercialisation and changing consumer expectations. By the end of the course, students will understand the forces shaping the development, regulation, funding and uptake of health technologies both nationally and internationally, and the political, ethical, legal and economic issues that are at stake. This course is designed to appeal to a wide range of student from ethics, law, public health, health care, policy, communications, economics, business, politics, administration, and biomedical science. Students will be encouraged to focus on issues of most relevance to their own area of study or work.

To introduce participants to the problem of pain within a multidisciplinary team framework and to highlight the extent of the problem in the community. The unit provides an overview of historical and philosophical models of pain and its management methods over time. Current classifications of pain are examined and the interrelationship between various paradigms of health and illness are outlined. Participants also begin to consider the principles of research design and biostatistics, and explore professional and ethical issues.

To introduce and develop participants understanding about the basic neuroscience of pain and the interrelationship between psychological, physiological and environmental processes in pain. Neuro-anatomical, physiological, pharmacological, and biochemical mechanisms involved in nociception, including peripheral and central sensitisation are discussed. Theoretical bases are introduced and the ways in which psychological and environmental factors modify or maintain pain perception and behaviour are explored.

To introduce participants to the core principles of pain assessment, treatment and management. Participants consider the biopsychosocial model and the scientific basis for assessment, diagnosis and treatment. They explore principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, together with routes of drug administration. The role of physiotherapy and rehabilitation management, and the use of procedures such as neural blockade, simulation techniques and surgery are also considered.

The unit provides an introduction to a range of pain conditions. Participants are encouraged to integrate and apply previous learning to specific pain problems, acute, chronic and cancer pain. Recent advances in pain relief techniques are introduced and specific issues in the management of pain in children and older people are considered.

Orofacial pain is frequently reported in the general population and is severe. It encompasses several conditions that involve medical, dental and psychological variables such as neuralgia, neuropathic pain, and temporomandibular disorder and related headache syndromes. The purpose of this unit is to explore the principles of orofacial pain mechanisms, symptomatology and treatments. Topics include orofacial pain assessment, diagnostic tests including local anaesthetic blocks, specific pharmacology for orofacial pain, and multidisciplinary treatment approaches.

This is the capstone unit in the Masters of Medicine (Pain Management) and the Master of Science in Medicine (Pain Management). The unit provides participants with an opportunity to draw together their learning that has taken place during the award, synthesise this with their prior learning and experience, and draw conclusions that will form the basis for further investigation, and intellectual and/or professional growth.

This unit aims to build on information acquired from previous units, exploring the neurobiological contributors to pain, how they are influenced by the mind and their implications for assessment and management of different pain conditions. It examines nociceptive, neuropathic and neuroplastic mechanisms and their contribution to pain; the link between mind and body and how psychological processes contribute to and modify the experience of pain through modulation of the neurobiological components.

This unit aims to provide a comprehensive study of current psychological perspectives and research on the experience and impact of pain. Theoretical models are introduced and the ways in which psychological processes might modify and/or maintain pain experience are explored. The processes explored include the roles of attention, learning, affect/mood, beliefs, self-talk, coping strategies, and interactions with environmental factors such as significant others, social contingencies and contexts (including culture, gender, workplace, etc.). Attention is given to incorporating psychosocial assessment within a biopsychosocial framework.

This unit explores aspects of the assessment and management of musculoskeletal pain. Topics include anatomical/physiological mechanisms, medical and non-medical assessment and management, together with regional pain syndromes.

This unit addresses the biopsychosocial assessment and management of pain associated with cancer. Recent advances in pain relief techniques including delivery systems for patient control of pain are reviewed, together with appropriate assessment and treatment approaches for psychological factors such as depression, grief and stress.

This unit explores the pharmacology of analgesic drugs and their application in the clinical context. Using a case based approach a range of pain conditions and the pharmacological implications will be explored.

This unit is primarily focused on the influence of psychological variables in the implementation of all treatments, both somatic and psychological. The bio-psychosocial model of chronic pain is revisited and the implications for interdisciplinary interventions are discussed. The evidence for interventions based on psychological principles is critically examined and implementation of these interventions in a range of clinical settings is explored.

The interface between pain assessment and treatment and the system of compensation for workplace-related injury and disability is the focus of this subject. Accordingly the role of pain management in rehabilitation following occupational injury or illness is addressed, together with the medical, legal, insurer, employer, trade union and rehabilitation provider perspectives and roles in providing protection, advocacy, compensation and treatment. Legislative and attitudinal changes in the social environment relating to occupational injury and treatment are considered together with challenges for pain management arising from dysfunction in the system of rehabilitation following injury.

This unit provides an opportunity for students to understand the developmental physiology and psychology of infants and children, together with the pharmacology (particularly with reference to dose and route of administration) of pain management in children. Particular attention is given to management of acute pain in children, both post-operative and procedure-related pain, to methods of pain assessment in children of various ages, to non-pharmacological pain management strategies and to chronic pain presentations in children.

Readings and case studies will highlight the unique difficulties of elderly people who suffer from degenerative, painful conditions, often exacerbated by multiple losses, role changes, limited mobility and mood disorder. The emphasis will be on assessment and management of pain when complicated by these conditions.

This unit explores complementary therapies that may accompany conventional medical approaches in the management of pain. The evidence base is discussed, as well as the implications, costs and side effects of these therapies. The historical basis of each therapy is considered, together with current knowledge about their application and potential interactions with conventional medicines and treatments. Topics include: acupuncture, herbalism, homeopathy, hypnosis and relaxation techniques, yoga and meditation, osteopathy and chiropractic.

The aims of this unit are to provide a theoretical framework for the management of acute pain, to examine the specific contributors that are important in the development of acute pain conditions and to examine pharmacological and other approaches used in the management of acute pain. Topics that will be covered will include the principles of pre-emptive analgesia and evidence of effectiveness in preventing pain, pharmacological management of acute pain including approaches such as patient controlled analgesia, adjunctive approaches in managing acute pain and the transition from acute to chronic pain.