Pain Management - MSc

This is an interprofessional, e-Learning course intended for healthcare professionals who want to specialise in the field of pain management. It is also aimed at educationalists, to provide the appropriate knowledge and expertise on pain, to teach others from various disciplines.

Overview

The MSc Degree in Pain Management is an inter-professional, e-learning programme intended for health care professionals who want to specialise in the field of pain management. It is also aimed at educationalists to provide the appropriate knowledge and expertise on pain to teach others from various disciplines. In addition, 3 of our modules can be studied on a stand-alone basis to provide any healthcare professional with an introduction to Research, Statistics and Evidence Based Practice, Foundation in Evidence Based Pain Management and / or Quality and Safety. Details for these are provided within the Stand Alone module information area (MET257, MET500 and MET287).

Pain is a multidimensional phenomenon and as such needs to be managed through multidisciplinary initiatives. These initiatives must be based on specialist knowledge, rigorous research and an advanced understanding of the physiological and behavioural concepts involved.

This two-year course begins by introducing you to the multifaceted nature of caring for patients who have pain. The modules are designed to provide you with the ability to understand the biopsychosocial aspects of pain and to evaluate the various approaches to assessing and managing patients in pain. Professional issues, including clinical governance and inter-professional practice, will be covered. The course is suitable for the needs of primary, secondary and tertiary care professionals.

E-learning assessment strategies enable students to focus on their areas of interest and are structured to allow students to evaluate the topic in relation to their practice and professional base.

Approximately 40 places are offered each year and the majority of students are self-funded, though some obtain awards from charities and trusts. The course takes two years to complete inclusive of the dissertation component (nine months for the postgraduate certificate stage; nine months for the postgraduate diploma stage and a further six months for the dissertation stage).

There are no residential components in this course as it is purely e-learning - so there is no requirement to travel to Cardiff for course purposes. 

Available Funding

We have been very fortunate in obtaining substantial bursaries from Napp Pharmaceuticals Limited. If you would like to enquire about a 50% bursary for the 2018/9 sessional module fees, please contact the programme team at [email protected], before you apply.

Distinctive features

• Inter-professional plus e-learning.
• The first postgraduate Diploma/MSc in Pain Management course to be developed.
• Emphasis on a biopsychosocial approach.
• Suitable for primary, secondary and tertiary care.
• A new primary care pathway is available within the MSc Pain Management to reflect the move of chronic pain services closer to people’s homes and this is facilitated and managed by an inter-professional, expert primary care faculty including leading GPs with a special interest in pain within the UK.

Learning and assessment

How will I be taught?

A wide range of teaching and learning styles are used throughout the course, which is delivered via e-learning format through Cardiff University’s virtual learning environment (VLE) Learning Central The course consists of a number of compulsory modules and sub-topics where you have a choice. 

A variety of media is used to deliver the content:

• Written modules
• Voice over PowerPoint presentations
• Talking heads
• Presentations
• Interactive modules.

Dissertation topics are chosen by the student, but have to be approved by the programme team, on behalf of the Chair of the postgraduate taught Board of Studies.

Studies at MSc dissertation level will largely consist of guided independent study and research, making use of the extensive learning and research facilities available. A project supervisor will be allocated to support and advise you on researching and writing up your specific dissertation topic. A formative module on Research Methods will be delivered online via Learning Central.

How will I be supported?

The course is delivered entirely as distance-learning via Cardiff University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Learning Central, where you will find course materials, links to related materials and assessments, discussion boards, announcements, Turnitin and Gradecentre.

All modules make extensive use of this VLE (Learning Central), through which you will find all the course material. Students are encouraged to make regular contribution through the discussion boards on Learning Central, where they will be supported by the programme team and a panel of experts. Students will be able to plan and reflect on their learning through their own personal blog.

All students are allocated a personal tutor, for help and support with academic and pastoral needs, who will be in regular contact to discuss progress and to provide advice and guidance as needed. Extensive written feedback is given on all assessments.

Career prospects

Successful completion of this programme will add value to your CV. Graduates have reported that it led directly to promotion, and many were also stimulated to pursue academic careers via further study up to PhD.

This Masters programme enables you to demonstrate you are taking the opportunity to develop your abilities in critical analysis, problem-solving, decision-making, finding and using evidence and in dealing with complex issues. Whilst we do not formally assess clinical skills or competencies in a face-to-face context (so the programme is not a substitute for a formal specialty training programme), studying at this level should help successful students demonstrate numerous academic skills that should be highly regarded in relation to their career development and progression. In particular, the programme offers opportunities to demonstrate the development of knowledge and skills in relation to the application of evidence-based medicine and the potential enhancement of services and governance frameworks. As such, it should provide evidence of commitment and potential that may assist you in relation to taking on greater responsibilities or perhaps seeking management, research, scholarship, or leadership roles.

Visit the Pain Management - MSc page on the Cardiff University website for more details!