Algologie [ WMED2420 ]

Teaching will be based on real-life clinical situations, including patient interviews (video interviews). Practical aspects of chronic pain management, including diagnosis, functional and psychosocial assessment, and therapeutic management will be discussed through each of these clinical situations.

The first aim of this course is to demonstrate, by theory and clinical practice, the advantages of an integrated multidisciplinary approach for the evaluation and management of acute and chronic pain states. Secondary aims concern updating of neuropsychological mechanisms and presentation of new therapeutic resources.

The course evaluation will be in the form of a written examination, which will include 4 or 5 open questions. This will occur at a date to be agreed. It will also be possible to present a personal piece of work (as an alternative to the examination).

The course aims to familiarise students with the multidisciplinary management of patients suffering from chronic pain and provide participants with practical tools that will help them provide adequate support to patients with chronic pain. The course is intended to all students in medicine since 1^st master.Chronic pain management requires the skills and expertise from medical doctors, nurses and paramedics from various specialties working synergetically, including physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, interventional pain technique specialists, psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and nurses.

All lectures and articles will be posted on the Icampus web platform, which will be available to all course participants.  Below are some background references, which participants may want to read prior to attending the course:·        
Gatchel R, Bo Pen Y, Peters M, Turck F, P Fucks. The biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain: scientific Advances and future directions. Psychological Bulletin 2007 133 (4) 581-624·        
J Grisart: chronic pain, stories of encounters. Pain and Analgesia 2011 24 :38-45

Speakers will base their talk around a clinical situation that will be approached through their specific area of expertise, and discussed more widely with views from other specialists. The assessment of psychosocial and functional disability, non pharmacological and pharmacological treatments, as well specialized (invasive) techniques will be discussed.
The primary purpose of this course is to highlight the important of the synergetic and complementary approach of a multi-disciplinary team in the management of chronic pain.