Chronic Pain Module

This covers 8 weeks during years SpR 1 and 2, in association with the Day Surgery module

There are two chronic pain clinics in Hull and East Yorkshire, each with its own style of patient assessment and management.

The Castle Hill Hospital clinic will give exposure to a wide range of therapies for chronic pain conditions.

The Princess Royal Hospital clinic concentrates on chronic pain consultation skills. The following extract from the trainee information sheet gives some idea of what is on offer.

 Chronic Pain Management Module

The aims and objectives of this module are mainly self evident from the list of assessments detailed below; however, the following should also be appreciated:

	(i)	time might be the only thing that can be given to the patient
	(ii)	relatives/significant others help rather than hinder your consultation etc
	(iii)	try to keep an open mind and do not jump to conclusions
	(iv)	make a provisional diagnosis, however ”woolly•
	(v)	if helpful, list other significant factors
	(vi)	patient/family education is of prime importance
	(vii)	make a plan of management
	(viii)	do not force procedures/therapy onto patients, however much you may think they will benefit

Outline plan of the module

observe new patient interviews at the pain management clinic, Princess Royal Hospital take part in discussing the bio-psycho-social processes involved and in formulating a plan of management when ready, undertake new patient consultation (see below, ”Areas for assessment•) observe treatment session, Theatre 3, Princess Royal Hospital observe follow-up clinic, Princess Royal Hospital

 Areas for assessment

putting patient/relative etc at their ease listening to the patient, eliciting the main problem(s) and acknowledging others eliciting other information that might be significant (past history, social history etc including review of hospital notes and investigations if available) relevant physical examination arriving at a provisional diagnosis explanation of what we think is going on to patient and relatives discussion of plan of management with supervising doctor quality of note keeping - relevant information, in enough detail and legible!

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Module Coordinator Derek Haines <drhaines@davav.demon.co.uk>