NPS MedicineWise Learning

About

This course consists of three 30-minute modules that aim to increase knowledge about chronic pain for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners and community members. Participants will gain an understanding about pain, and the medicines and non-medicine treatments used to manage chronic pain.

Target audience: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and health practitioners

Other audiences: This module may have relevance for all healthcare staff working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people

Cost: Free

Continuing professional development (CPD)

Select a category below to view CPD accreditation details

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of each module the learner should be able to:

Module 1 - Recognising chronic pain

• Describe the different types of pain including acute and chronic pain.
• Explain chronic pain in terms that community members will understand.
• Acknowledge cultural experiences of pain within the social and emotional wellbeing model.

Module 2 - How to help chronic pain

• List non-medicine treatments for managing chronic pain.
• Apply different ways to talk with and support people who are experiencing chronic pain.
• Identify local allied health services qualified to support chronic pain management.

Module 3 - Medicines and chronic pain

• Recognise common medicines used for acute and chronic pain, how they work and the risks of overuse.
• Discuss in simple terms why opioids are sometimes used for a short period to manage chronic pain.
• Explain opioid side effects and risks, tolerance and withdrawal.
• Describe why opioids are only used in the short term, and their need to be tapered gradually and stopped.
• Describe where to find further information about medicines.