Acute and Chronic Pain - Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Treatment Strategies, 30 credits

Professional qualification or a Bachelor of Science of 180 credits in Health Care. Furthermore, knowledge is required in Swedish and English equivalent to Swedish B and English A (with at least the Pass grade).

On completion of the course, the student should
- have skills, on the basis of his/her professional role, to independently make a clinical pain analysis in a neurobiological perspective with a focus on details concerning the patient's pain type
- have basic and, in particularly essential parts, advanced knowledge of pain in a clinical perspective in accordance with demands on knowledge as formulated in the "Core curriculum for professional education in pain" published by IASP (International Association for the Study of Pain).
- have insight in and a professional approach to the special medical-ethical issues that pain-enforcement staff should possess
- have knowledge and understanding of the importance of a multi-disciplinary and multiprofessional working method in clinical pain problems.

Part 1:
Neurobiological and clinical aspects of pain, 12 higher education credits
The part brings up:
- The anatomy and physiology of the pain
- Pain-related taxonomy
- Clinical pain analysis
- Pain estimation
- Sensibility examination
- Post-operative pain
- Cancer-related pain
- Peripheral and central neuropathic pain
- Elementary clinical pharmacology
- Case studies

Part 2:
Elective project 1, 1.3 higher education credits
The advanced assignment consists of a literary survey of a relevant area. The work should have a
pre-clinical orientation.

Part 3:
Clinical aspects of pain, 12 higher education credits
The part brings up:
- Fibromyalgia
- Musculoskeletal pain;
- Pain of unknown cause and psychogenic pain;
- Complex regional pain condition
- Behavioural medical aspects of pain
- Case studies
- Afferent stimulation for pain (TENS, acupuncture)
- Electric stimulation of CNS for mitigation of neuropathic and ischemic pain.

Part 4: Elective project 2, 2.3 higher education credits
The advanced assignment consists of a literary survey of a relevant area. The work should have a clear clinical focus.

Parts 1 and 3 consist largely of lectures with and without patient demonstrations/case studies in which interaction with the participants is sought. PBL is applied in case presentations.
Parts 2 and 4 consist of advanced assignments that very well can be carried out in groups.

The advanced assignment is presented orally and in writing at a seminar. Clinical parts are demonstrated in small groups.

Parts 1 and 3: Are examined through written examination covering what has been produced during lectures/demonstrations/case studies.

Parts 2 and 4: Oral presentation of an advanced project in a seminar that is also compiled in writing.

The majority of the lectures are compulsory since they also contain patient demonstrations/case studies. Absence is compensated by an individual assignment.

The course has been cancelled and was offered for the last time in the fall semester of 2008. Examination will be provided until the spring of 2017 for students who have not completed the course. 

Language of instruction: Swedish.