Pain medicine
Wherever possible, this Core Level unit of training should occur in a dedicated block.
Learning outcomes:
- To be competent in the assessment and effective management of acute post-operative and acute non post-operative pain
- To acquire knowledge necessary to provide a basic understanding of the management of chronic pain in adults
- To recognise the special circumstances in assessing and treating pain in children, the older person and those with communication difficulties
- To demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of post-op analgesia requirements for children, the older person and those with communication difficulties
Core clinical learning outcomes:
- Competence in the assessment of acute surgical and non surgical pain and demonstrate the ability to treat effectively
- To have an understanding of chronic pain in adults
NB: All competencies annotated with the letter ‘E’ can be examined in any of the components of the Primary examination identified in the FRCA examination blueprint on page B-99 or in the Final examination identified in the Final FRCA blueprint on page C72 of Annex C.
| Knowledge |
|---|
|
Competence |
Description |
Assessment methods |
GMP |
|---|---|---|---|
|
PM_BK_01 |
Recalls the anatomy and physiology of pain medicine to include nociceptive, visceral and neuropathic pain [cross ref basic sciences ] |
A,C,E |
1 |
|
PM_BK_02 |
Describes drugs used to manage pain and their pharmacology [including but not limited to opioids, NSAIDs, Coxibs, local anaesthetics and drugs used to manage neuropathic pain] |
A,C,E |
1 |
|
PM_BK_03 |
Explains the principles of neural blockade for acute pain management |
A,C,E |
1,2 |
|
PM_BK_04 |
Describes the methods of assessment of pain |
A,C,E |
1 |
|
PM_BK_05 |
Explains the relationship between acute and chronic pain |
A,C,E |
1 |
|
PM_BK_06 |
Describes a basic understanding of chronic pain in adults |
A,C,E |
1 |
|
PM_BK_07 |
Explains the importance of the biopsychosocial aspects of pain |
A,C |
1,2 |
|
PM_BK_08 |
Describes the organisation and objectives of an acute pain service |
A,C,E |
1 |
|
PM_BK_09 |
Explains the limitations of pain medicine |
A,C,E |
1 |
| Skills |
|---|
|
Competence |
Description |
Assessment methods |
GMP |
|---|---|---|---|
|
PM_BS_01 |
Demonstrates the ability to assess manage and monitor acute surgical and non surgical pain and side effects of medication |
A |
1,2,3,4 |
|
PM_BS_02 |
Demonstrates appropriate and safe drug prescribing |
A,C |
1,2 |
|
PM_BS_03 |
Demonstrates the safe use of equipment used to manage pain including equipment used for PCA, epidurals and inhalational techniques |
A,D |
1,2 |
|
PM_BS_04 |
Demonstrates the safe and effective use of local anaesthetic peripheral and regional neural blockade techniques |
A,D |
1,2 |
|
PM_BS_05 |
Demonstrates the ability to manage severe unrelieved acute pain and distress in a timely, safe and effective manner |
A,M |
1,2,3,4 |
|
PM_BS_06 |
Demonstrates the importance of regular on-going monitoring of pain management/follow up |
A,C,M |
1,2,3 |
|
PM_BS_07 |
Demonstrates recognition of acute neuropathic pain |
C |
1 |
|
PM_BS_08 |
Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives and carers including advantages, disadvantages and side effects of pain management |
C |
1,2,3 |