Pain Management: Easing Pain in Palliative Care from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Pain

In this module, you will review pain assessment basics. You will start with defining pain and the scope of the pain problem in the palliative care setting. You will review various pain types and causes of pain in people with serious illness. To understand how pain medications and integrative pain therapies work to decrease pain, you need to know how the body recognizes pain and makes a person hurt. Common barriers to good pain management and myths and misconceptions will be discussed. You will review how to evaluate a person’s pain and how to know if persons are having pain when they cannot tell you. Remember pain is a personal experience.

Non-Pharmacological pain treatment

In this module, you will review the many dimensions that can affect the way pain is expressed and how it responds to treatment. You will also review various integrative therapies or healing practices that focus on the relationship between the provider and whole person, including the mind, body, and spirit, to improve health, healing, and pain. You will start with defining complementary and alternative therapies and understanding the difference between the two. You will review four integrative health domains as defined by the National Center for Integrative Health which is part of the National Institutes of Health. Finally, you will evaluate the best evidence about the use of these therapies in managing pain in people with serious illness. Remember, it is important to ask patients if they use integrative health therapies. Try to understand their past experiences and attitudes toward non-drug treatments. The key is to find out what works for the person in pain with his/her unique characteristics. As caregivers we need to be open to various approaches and our patient’s wishes.

Medication Management (including over the counter and non-opioid medicines)

When people have pain their quality of life can be poor and they can experience more suffering. In this module, you will learn about non-opioid medications that can be used to treat pain and ease suffering.

Opioids, safety, and addiction

When people have pain their quality of life can be poor and they can experience more suffering. In this module, you will learn about opioid medications that can be used to treat pain and ease suffering.

Easing Pain: Assessment

In this module, you will review a case study of Mrs. Ana Garcia, a mock patient diagnosed with cervical cancer. Listen to her story and think about what you would do to advocate for her and help her pain. You will answer questions based on your new knowledge and skills you have learned from modules 1 to 4. This summative assessment has two parts. First, you will answer seven questions reflecting on material presented in the first two modules of our course, “Easing Pain.” Once you successfully pass the first part of the summative assessment, answer the next 8 questions about Anna’s case based on materials learned from modules 3 and 4. Good luck!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores pain management in the palliative care setting, which is relevant to healthcare professionals in that field

Provides a deep dive into the assessment, management, and therapy of pain, which is invaluable for professionals in the palliative care setting

Taught by experienced instructors who are recognized for their work in pain management and palliative care

Incorporates integrative therapies and pharmacologic strategies, providing a comprehensive approach to pain management

May require prior knowledge in pain management or palliative care for optimal comprehension

Reviews summary

Pain management fundamentals

Learners say this course is amazing, great, and very informative. It is well presented with lucid, clear videos that are easy to understand. While some learners would like more advanced material, they agree that it's a good start for pain management and palliative care. They highly recommend it.

The course is well organized and helpful.

"Well organized and helpful."

"It was a best way of learning"

"lucid. effective and organised. Thank you."

Excellent course material that is easy to understand and engaging.

"Thank you for a great course."

"This course is well presented and the videos are clear and they use a language very simple to understand."

"I found this course so very useful in gaining information about pain management."

Very informative course with practical information.

"very informative"

"very informative! "

"Excellent. Clear .Lot of practical information."

Some links to reading material are broken.

"Some reading material links are broken"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Pain Management: Easing Pain in Palliative Care with these activities:

Study Pain Assessment Basics

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Pain assessment skills are vital for recognizing and addressing patient needs.

Browse courses on Pain Assessment

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Review course materials on assessing pain.
Review articles on pain assessment techniques.
Assess pain in a simulated or clinical setting.

Compile Pain Management Resources

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Creating a centralized resource enhances access to pain management information and strategies.

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Gather resources from reputable sources on pain management.
Organize the resources according to topic or type.
Create a digital or physical compilation for easy reference.

Explore Integrative Pain Management Techniques

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Delving into integrative techniques enhances understanding of holistic pain management approaches.

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Watch videos or read articles on various integrative therapies.
Attend a workshop or webinar on integrative pain management.
Research case studies on the effectiveness of integrative therapies.

One other activity

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Show all four activities

Develop a Patient Pain Management Education Guide

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Creating an educational guide empowers patients to manage their pain effectively.

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Research and synthesize information on pain management.
Create an outline for the patient guide.
Write and edit the content of the guide.
Review the guide with a healthcare professional or patient advocate for feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Pain Management: Easing Pain in Palliative Care will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Palliative Care Physician

Palliative care physicians specialize in providing comprehensive care to patients with serious illnesses. This course can enhance their expertise in pain management, covering pain assessment, non-pharmacological interventions, and medication management. By gaining knowledge of integrative therapies and the principles of palliative care, palliative care physicians can optimize patient care and improve their quality of life.

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Registered Nurse

Registered nurses, or RNs, have a vital role in pain management and palliative care. This course can help build a foundation in pain assessment, non-pharmacological pain treatment, and medication management. This knowledge can help RNs provide comprehensive care to patients with serious illnesses, improving their quality of life.

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Pharmacist

Pharmacists play a crucial role in managing pain in palliative care settings. This course can enhance pharmacists' understanding of pain assessment, medication management, and patient counseling. The emphasis on non-opioid and opioid medications can help pharmacists optimize pain management strategies and improve patient outcomes.

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Hospice Nurse

Hospice nurses specialize in providing care to patients with terminal illnesses. This course can deepen their understanding of pain management in palliative care, including assessment, non-pharmacological interventions, and medication management. By gaining knowledge of integrative therapies and the unique needs of patients at the end of life, hospice nurses can provide compassionate and comprehensive care.

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Physician Assistant

Physician assistants collaborate with physicians to provide care to patients, including pain management. This course can help build a strong foundation in pain assessment, different treatment approaches, and medication management. By understanding the principles of palliative care, physician assistants can improve patient care and enhance their role in interdisciplinary pain management teams.

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Social Worker

Social workers provide psychosocial support to patients and families in palliative care. This course can equip them with knowledge of pain assessment, integrative therapies, and medication management. By understanding the impact of pain on patients' well-being, social workers can advocate for their needs, provide emotional support, and connect them to resources.

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Chaplain

Chaplains provide spiritual and emotional support to patients and families in palliative care. This course can enhance their understanding of pain assessment and the importance of pain management. By gaining knowledge of integrative therapies and medication management, chaplains can provide holistic care that addresses both the physical and spiritual aspects of pain.

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Counselor

Counselors provide emotional support and guidance to individuals and families. This course can equip them with knowledge of pain assessment and the impact of pain on mental health. By understanding the principles of palliative care and the unique needs of patients with serious illnesses, counselors can provide holistic care that addresses both the psychological and physical aspects of pain.

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Acupuncturist

Acupuncturists utilize traditional Chinese medicine to manage pain. This course can provide them with a deeper understanding of pain assessment and the principles of palliative care. By gaining knowledge of integrative therapies and the unique needs of patients with serious illnesses, acupuncturists can enhance their role in providing holistic pain management.

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Physical Therapist

Physical therapists help patients restore and improve their physical function. This course can provide them with knowledge of pain assessment and the principles of palliative care. By understanding the impact of pain on movement and the unique needs of patients with serious illnesses, physical therapists can develop individualized interventions to improve patients' mobility and reduce pain.

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Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists help patients regain or improve their functional skills. This course can provide them with insights into pain assessment and the principles of palliative care. By understanding the impact of pain on daily activities and the unique needs of patients with serious illnesses, occupational therapists can develop individualized interventions to improve patients' quality of life.

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Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-language pathologists help patients with communication, swallowing, and cognitive impairments. This course can provide them with insights into pain assessment and the principles of palliative care. By understanding the impact of pain on communication and the unique needs of patients with serious illnesses, speech-language pathologists can develop individualized interventions to improve patients' quality of life.

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Chiropractor

Chiropractors focus on the neuromusculoskeletal system and may be involved in pain management. This course can provide them with insights into pain assessment and the importance of interdisciplinary care in palliative settings. By understanding the principles of palliative care and the unique needs of patients with serious illnesses, chiropractors can contribute to a comprehensive pain management plan.

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Massage Therapist

Massage therapists may be involved in providing non-pharmacological pain management in palliative care settings. This course can introduce them to the principles of pain assessment and the benefits of integrative therapies. By understanding the impact of pain on patients' well-being, massage therapists can adapt their techniques to provide safe and effective pain relief.

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Recreational Therapist

Recreational therapists use leisure activities to promote physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. This course can provide them with insights into pain assessment and the principles of palliative care. By understanding the impact of pain on leisure activities and the unique needs of patients with serious illnesses, recreational therapists can develop individualized interventions to improve patients' quality of life.

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