Course Description:

Healthcare workers play a vital role in ensuring safe and effective pain management for their patients. Pain is one of the most common reasons for patients seeking care. We may not always know the precise cause of their pain, but we can always help alleviate their suffering. For all patients, the goal of pain management is a tolerable pain level that allows them to function. General guiding principles for pain management exist and apply across the continuum of care. However, unique environments and patient populations present distinct challenges and opportunities that prevent a universal approach. Chronic pain can be difficult to diagnose and treat. This lecture will dive deeper into the pharmacological approach to treating and managing chronic pain.