EPN-V2

MAVIT5700 Pain - Multidimensional Assessment and Health Professional Interventions Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Smerte - multidimensjonal vurdering og helsefaglige tiltak
Study programme
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Physiotherapy for Children and Adolescents
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Physiotherapy for the older adult
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Rehabilitation and Habilitation
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Nursing; Clinical Research and Professional Development
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Physiotherapy for Musculoskeletal Health
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Psychomotor Physiotherapy
Master's Programme in Health Sciences
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Occupational Therapy
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2025/2026
Programme description
Course history

Introduction

Language of instruction: Norwegian

This course covers theories and models used to understand the neurophysiological basis of pain and how physiological and sociocultural factors affect the experience of pain. It has a focus on how acute pain conditions can develop into persistent and long-term pain, and on how to carry out a multidimensional assessment, implement treatment measures and/or preventive interventions and evaluation.

Recommended preliminary courses

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has

  • a theoretical understanding of quantitative methods for analyzing data
  • an understanding of the role of empirical evidence in evaluating economic, managerial, and business problems
  • an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different statistical methods

Skills

The student can

  • formulate empirical questions
  • gather, obtain, and organize quantitative data
  • conduct statistical analysis using software
  • interpret statistical results

General competence

The student can

  • think critically and understand the role of assumptions in arguments
  • communicate effectively about economic, managerial, and business issues
  • develop a well-organized argument that states assumptions and hypothesis, which are supported by evidence
  • use and appropriately cite different data sources

Required preliminary courses

The student must have been admitted to the Master’s Programme in Health Sciences.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

  • can assess key theories related to pain in young people, adults and the older adults
  • can discuss approaches to assessing pain and appropriate interventions provided by healthcare professions
  • can critically assess theories on motivation and coping with respect to long-term pain conditions
  • can assess the significance of a culture and gender perspective in relation to pain

Skills

The student

  • can apply relevant theories and models on pain
  • can interpret the results of multidimensional assessments of people with pain
  • can critically reflect on different interventions for long-term pain conditions

General competence

The student

  • can describe key aspects of pain theories
  • can implement knowledge about multidimensional assessments of pain conditions
  • can disseminate research-based knowledge on the examination and treatment of pain

Teaching and learning methods

The course will use varied, student-active work methods. Work methods comprise lectures, flipped classroom, seminars, presentations, group work and self-study. Presentations at the seminars are important to support the continued learning process and communication skills after the course.

Teaching is organised as two one-week sessions on campus.

Course requirements

None.

Assessment

Individual home examination over 14 days. Scope: 3,000 words (+/- 10%).

If the course is taught in English, students can also choose to write/conduct the examination in a Scandinavian language (Norwegian, Swedish or Danish).

Permitted exam materials and equipment

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grading scale

This course aims to provide students with an understanding of how data and statistical analysis can improve economic, managerial and business decision making. Students will learn how to develop empirical questions, collect and organize relevant quantitative data, apply appropriate statistical methods, and ultimately, make better business and policy decisions. The course will draw on a wide range of business and economic applications, such as finance, advertising, internet retailing, and human resources.

Language of instruction is English.

Examiners

All answers are assessed by one examiner.

An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum of every third completion of the course. When selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 5 answers. The external examiner’s assessment of the selected answers shall benefit all students.

Overlapping courses

The course will be taught through lectures and in-class exercises. The course will also make use of software for data analysis.