MSc in Pain Management

The MSc in Pain Management course provides a progression route from the Postgraduate Diploma, designed for healthcare professionals interested in a leadership role within Pain Management. Course Code: QMSP053

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MSc Pain Management Course Information

Diploma MSc is a collaborative partner of the University of South Wales. On successful completion of this course, you will receive a University of South Wales Postgraduate Diploma.

The MSc Pain Management course aims to create professionals who can independently access information and use the information to critically assess, evaluate and disseminate the evidence base related to Pain Management. The course will enable more health care professionals to have the required knowledge to treat patients. It will develop problem-solving and clinical skills together with preparing students to take a leadership role in Pain Management.

Entry to the 1 year MSc in Pain Management will require the successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Pain Management (120 credits) either from the University of South Wales or from another UK University.

Our Pain Management Masters of Science course has been developed for health professionals who are interested in a leadership role within Pain Management including Doctors, Nurses, Allied Health Professionals, Practice Nurses and those with equivalent professional qualifications and background experience.

On completion of the MSc Pain Management course you will be able to:

  • Extend the knowledge of research methods and application to practice at MSc level.
  • Demonstrate an ability to use knowledge to adapt professional practice to meet the changing demands of health care systems.

Course Structure

Aim of the module:
  • To help students recognise, understand, interpret and apply methods used in healthcare research and critically appraise the various methodologies in Pain Management research thus developing leadership skills
Synopsis of module content:
  • Terminology used in epidemiology and research studies such as prevalence, incidence, sensitivity, specificity, false positive and false negatives.
  • Interpreting graphical representation of epidemiological and statistical data such as Kaplan-Meier Curves, Forrest Plots and Meta-analyses.
  • Calculations used in the assessment of research data such as relative risk, absolute risk, number needed to treat.
  • Basic statistical tests and their applications including t-Tests, ANOVA, Chi-Square.
  • Methodologies as applied to inter-disciplinary & multi-disciplinary Pain Management research.
  • Fundamentals of evidence-based practice and its application into the clinical setting.
  • Principles of health economics, audit and quality improvement / assurance systems.
  • Establishing patient registers and the value of disease specific registers
  • Research into educational principles for both health care practitioner and patient.
  • Understanding what may work for the patient as well as the educator.
On completion of this module the student should be able to demonstrate:
  1. Analyse and interpret research in pain management
  2. Compare and contrast the different research methods in healthcare with an emphasis on pain management
Professional Project
Aims of the module:
  • To develop an ability to critically evaluate areas of professional practice.
  • To critically appraise specific areas of clinical, research and organisational practice.
  • To develop skills in independent research and study.
  • To develop skills relevant to scientific publications.
Synopsis of module content:

The module will depend on the creation of a piece of work based upon a specific clinically related project relevant to the student’s practice. This project may comprise:

  • Literature review and appraisal of the evidence.
  • Audit of practice including organisational or clinical.
  • Review and implementation of evidence-based practice.
  • Qualitative or quantitative research (formal research involving human subjects is not anticipated).
  • Case(s)-based and quality of service review with critical appraisal.
  • Case report, review of literature and organisational assessment.
On completion of this module the student should be able to:
  1. produce an extensive piece of literature which may be suitable for peer-reviewed publication.
  2. critically evaluate practice and suggest improvements or change.
  3. Incorporated knowledge of the research process in developing services appropriately.

Or

Independent Prescribing Module
Aim of the module:
  • This module aims to prepare students, both academically and practically, for the role of independent prescribing. The module also meets the registration criteria for the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
Synopsis of module content:
  • Consultation, decision-making and therapy, including referral.
  • Influences on, and psychology of, prescribing.
  • Prescribing in a team context.
  • Clinical pharmacology, including the effects of co-morbidity.
  • Evidence-based practice and clinical governance in relation to nurse prescribing.
  • Legal, policy and ethical aspects.
  • Professional accountability and responsibility.
On completion of this module the student should:
  1. Describe the responsibility that the role of independent prescriber entails (and demonstrate and awareness of their own limitations and work within the limits of professional competence).
  2. Apply and evaluate patient assessment skills (inc. clinical assessment, history taking) and consultative skills with patient/clients, clients, parents and carers in the context of prescribing/informing diagnosis.
  3. Critically appraise and apply knowledge of drug actions, use sources of information/advice and decision support systems in prescribing practice to support prescribing decisions/informing diagnosis.
  4. Explain and apply the relevant legislation to the practice of nurse/midwife prescribing and practise within a framework of professional accountability and responsibility.
  5. Evaluate the influences that can affect prescribing practice and demonstrate understanding by managing prescribing practice in an ethical way.

Teaching Methods

Module 1 - Research Methodologies and Critical Appraisal

MSc teaching methods for this module are similar to the PG Diploma course modules however it is run over 12 weeks.

Module 2 - Professional Project

To produce the professional project, students continue to use the online course; however much of the work is self-directed.

Students are expected in the first 8 weeks to interact with their tutor on a weekly basis. Students select a specific project and submit a project summary/proposal (approximately 1500 words).

Once the proposal has been approved, the professional project (10,500 words) itself is then completed through online guidance and supervision offered by the tutor. The student and tutor will interact regularly (weekly) on the dedicated students/tutor discussion area or through any other means of communication deemed appropriate by both parties (telephone/SKYPE/email). Note of any verbal communication with the tutor is recorded in the student's journal by the student.

Entry Requirements

Entry to the 1 year MSc Pain Management programme will require the successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Pain Management (120 credits) either from the University of South Wales or from another UK University.

Students may apply for the Masters in Pain Management as a two-year course consisting of 8 modules (180 credits), the first 120 credits of which being the Postgraduate Diploma.

Applicants should submit copies of the following with their application:

  • Qualification certificates
  • One written reference

Applications open for March 2019
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