Theories of Pain Impact on the Individual, Family and Society

Pain is universal and exists across all ages and stages of the life cycle. Pain is a complex yet elusive phenomenon that has a major impact on the individual, family and society. A variety of conceptual and theoretical models have been developed for understanding the physiology and psychology of acute and chronic pain and for predicting the effect of pain on the individual, family and society in general. Measurement approaches and treatment modes influence the delivery of health care and the management of clinical, economic and administrative outcomes. In this seminar course, students will critically examine the theoretical basis of pain, analyze the quality and quantity of existing research that has utilized a variety of conceptual and theoretical perspectives, and critique and evaluate these perspectives in relation to clinical practice, research, theory and social health care policy. In-class 3 hours/week

Program Requirements Course Type: Core Course Clinical Field