Medicine in Society Guide 2024/25
6. Themed Days
6.5. Day 5: Chronic Pain
Preparatory work
In preparation you should have:
Watch this video on chronic pain in which individuals discuss their experiences. You should note 2 or 3 key points you took away from this.
Read the NHS inform’s resource for patients on chronic pain. What stood out for you as particularly significant? Discuss this on the day.
Considered questions to ask a healthcare professional or a patient about dealing with chronic pain.
Aims
To introduce you to this common multifactorial condition, its effects on individuals, families and societies, and to the management approaches for this condition.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the day, you should be able to:
Identify the factors that are important in development of chronic, disabling back pain or other pain.
Summarise the socio-economic impact of these conditions on individuals, society and the health service.
Identify pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options for chronic pain.
Discuss the effect of chronic pain on the doctor patient relationship.
Practise interview skills.
Example timetable
9.30 – 10.30 | Tutorial on chronic pain. Discuss the preparation video. How did the doctor define chronic pain? How did the individuals describe the impact of chronic pain and what it meant to them? Has this changed any previous thoughts you had on the topic?
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10.30 – 10.45
| Tea break |
10.45 – 11.45 | Prepare for patient/healthcare professional encounters
Interview patient/s with a chronic pain condition and/or professional providing care for these patients.
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11.45 – 12.30 | Group debrief of patient encounters. Discuss with group challenges of dealing with/living with chronic pain
Set up afternoon activity; Student-led research – 2 groups, research pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options for management chronic pain, consider pros/cons of each and local access to these options. Prepare brief presentation.
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12.30 – 13.15 | Lunch
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13.30 – 14.45 | Student-led research
1:1 formative feedback meeting with GP tutor (for 4-6 students)
Includes tea break
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14.45 – 16.00 | Student presentations & group discussion Set homework for next session
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Suggested activities
Tutorial on chronic pain– could include definition of chronic pain, discuss possible causes, outline various treatment options, challenges faced by patients and health services and local pain services,
Reviewed some of the resources on healthtalk.org about living with chronic pain and use this to consider the effects of chronic pain on individuals and their families
Student-led research – 2 groups, pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options for management chronic pain, pros/cons of each, consider local access to these options. Present back to group and discuss.
In small groups/pairs, plan interview with a GP or a patient about chronic pain (if possible, please arrange for some students to interview a GP and some a patient so they can compare findings when they meet again as a group).
Meeting with GP tutor for formative feedback on progress to date with learning activities and on professional attitude and conduct.
Questions for you to consider
How did dealing with patients with chronic pain affect the health care professional you interviewed? How did they feel about patients with chronic pain? How do you think you would deal with this situation?
How did you feel meeting a patient with chronic pain? How did you think they were coping with their situation? What sources of support were they drawing on?
You may have a meeting today with your tutor. How are you finding the placement so far? How do you feel you are progressing? Have you noticed any changes in yourself? Do you feel comfortable in the group? Do you feel comfortable meeting patients?