Pain, Fatigue and Palliative Care

Students will acquire basic knowledge of the principles of knowledge-based medicine and practice in pain, fatigue and palliative care. They will acquire a theoretical knowledge of these fields and the course will focus on ethics, mapping, examination, diagnostics, treatment, follow-up and rehabilitation as well as clinical issues related to this. The teaching is to some extent problem-based and the focus is consistently on issues relevant to clinical practice. Basic pain physiology as well as psychological, functional and social factors associated with various courses of pain and states of fatigue are emphasized. Students gain knowledge on communication and coping strategies where there are long-term symptoms and major life changes associated with illness. The course will provide insight into organizational matters as well as in-depth knowledge of interaction across professions.

Knowledge:

After completing the course, the candidate should:

• have a broad overview of pathophysiological conditions and other mechanisms that affect pain and maintain pain and fatigue conditions over time
• have a thorough understanding of principles of knowledge-based practice in pain, fatigue and palliative care
• have in-depth knowledge of the organization of health services for patients with pain and fatigue and patients in the palliative phase

Skills:

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

• explain basic pain physiology in malignant and non-malignant diseases
• describe various malignant and non-malignant disease states relevant to pain
• explain psychological, functional and social factors associated with various pain and palliative processes
• explain the use of survey / diagnostic tools, observation and evaluation of patients with various pain and fatigue conditions and for groups of patients with advanced disease
• explain treatment and follow-up for various pain conditions
• explain the treatment and follow-up of various groups with advanced disease
• explain the assumptions and rules for good communication with patients and relatives, and the importance of interdisciplinary interaction for patients with complex problems or advanced illness.
• describe principles for coping-oriented interventions and other treatment of various compound symptoms
• explain principles for knowledge-based practice and research in palliative care
• describe ethical issues related to the ending of life

General competence:

After completing the course, the candidate can:

• explain basic understanding of principles of knowledge-based practice in pain, fatigue and palliative care

Lectures and group work. All lectures will be given during a few weeks. Compulsory activity: Group work with oral presentation.