Pain

This programme focuses on symptoms associated with conditions requiring palliative care management and treatments to manage these symptoms, as well as reflecting on how you can impact on end-of-life conditions.

#CPPEpalliativecare

Learning Objectives:

• explain the aims and approaches of palliative care
• describe the aetiology of common palliative care symptoms and emergencies and their management strategies
• advise healthcare professionals about appropriate opioid dose conversions
• advise healthcare professionals about medicine compatibilities in syringe drivers
• engage with patients/carers to discuss their condition, choice of medicines, duration and withdrawal of treatment
• recognise the main sources of psychological distress in patients who have entered the palliative care stage in the course of their illness
• explain the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach to palliative care pain and symptom management
• contribute to advanced care planning provision in your local area
• signpost family members/carers for further advice and support.

The aim of this learning programme is to provide healthcare professionals with the knowledge and expertise to assess, treat and manage pain effectively.

Please note: this e-learning programme has been developed and provided by the Northern Ireland Centre for Pharmacy Learning and Development (NICPLD). Users should recognise that this programme will refer to Northern Ireland's policies and organisations. After ordering this programme, you will be redirected to their website where the resource is hosted. Please be aware that CPPE does not maintain control over the accuracy and currency of this programme.

Learning Objectives:

• define and classify pain
• detail methods of assessing pain
• describe recommended analgesic options for treating pain
• list non-pharmacological pain management options
• recognise key considerations when managing pain in specific patient groups
• explain the pain relief priorities for patients with cancer and at end of life.

This e-learning programme has been developed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to support anyone who prescribes, dispenses or administers opioids to patients. It identifies the hazards of commonly used opioids such as fentanyl and tramadol and advises on the actions that health professionals should take to anticipate, minimise and manage the clinical risks to patients. The module is followed by a short online assessment.

Please note: this e-learning programme has been developed and provided by the MHRA. After ordering this programme, you will be redirected to their website where the resource is hosted. Please be aware that CPPE does not maintain control over the accuracy and currency of this programme.

Learning Objectives:

• outline the common adverse effects and principal risks associated with opioid medicines
• describe risk reduction measures to minimise the adverse effects of opioid use
• locate MHRA safety alerts and information on opioid use
• advise patients and prescribers on the safer use of opioid medicines.

Work your way around the Palliative care learning topic, taking part in bite-sized interactive challenges that will help you and your team support patients with the management of pain, fatigue, mouth problems and other common side-effects of palliative care.

You can access this learning here: Palliative care - theLearningpharmacy.com

Learning Objectives:

• provide advice and signposting on self-care and public health
• explain how you would develop and deliver a successful pharmacy service
• support a person presenting with a new prescription
• describe how to advise appropriately a patient requesting an OTC medicine
• identify and meet the professional development needs of the pharmacy team.

Work your way around the NSAIDs learning topic, taking part in bite-sized interactive challenges that will help you and your team support and give advice to people wanting to purchase over-the-counter NSAIDs. The challenges will also help you support people suffering with adverse effects to NSAIDs, and people with long-term conditions, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

You can access this learning here: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - theLearningpharmacy.com

Learning Objectives:

WHO has developed a three-step "ladder" for cancer pain relief in adults.

This guideline covers assessing and managing low back pain and sciatica in people aged 16 and over. It outlines physical, psychological, pharmacological and surgical treatments to help people manage their low back pain and sciatica in their daily life. The guideline aims to improve people’s quality of life by promoting the most effective forms of care for low back pain and sciatica.

Analgesia - mild-to-moderate pain management: scenarios

This guideline covers managing neuropathic pain (nerve pain) with pharmacological treatments (drugs) in adults in non-specialist settings. It aims to improve quality of life for people with conditions such as neuralgia, shingles and diabetic neuropathy by reducing pain and promoting increased participation in all aspects of daily living. The guideline sets out how drug treatments for neuropathic pain differ from traditional pain management.