1. No category

1. Factual information
Module title
Assessing and Managing Patients with Joint Pain
Level
Module tutor
Bev Bostock
Credit value
Module type
Comprehensive on-line distance learning
supported by face-to-face study days
Notional
learning hours
NQF Level 6
(Degree Level)
30 (CATS)
15 (ECTS)
300
2. Rationale for the module and its links with other modules
Musculoskeletal pain is one of the most common causes of primary care consultations and is frequently seen
as a co-morbidity of other long-term conditions. Despite this knowledge of the assessment and management
of musculoskeletal pain amongst non-specialist primary care practitioners is acknowledged as being poor.
Aimed at developing the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals in primary, community or social
care settings in the assessment and management of musculoskeletal pain this module will enable students to
better support people living with musculoskeletal conditions and to understand the impact of musculoskeletal
pain on other common long-term conditions. Due to the vast number of patients living with musculoskeletal
pain conditions such as osteoarthritis the course would also be attractive to nurses and allied health
professionals working within a secondary care setting.
Underpinned by the principles of evidence based healthcare, it incorporates key concepts of the Long Term
Conditions agenda. The strong focus on the relationship between musculoskeletal pain and other common
co-morbidities ensures that the module is integral to the BSc (Hons) Long Term Conditions Programme.
3. Aims of the module
This multi-professional module focuses upon the assessment and management of the individual presenting to
a primary, community or social care setting with musculoskeletal pain. It encompasses musculoskeletal pain
as both a primary and secondary cause for consultation.
Importance is placed on a patient-centred approach, developing the knowledge and skills necessary to
support the complex needs of such patients.
This module will equip students with the knowledge and skills to improve the care of adults who experience
musculoskeletal pain and is aimed at any health care professional who participates in the delivery and
management of care for people with musculoskeletal pain, their families and carers.
On completion of the course successful students will be able to undertake an initial joint examination,
identifying key abnormalities and understanding the impact of their findings in relation to the need for further
referral or continued management.
Successful students will be able to suggest appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological
management options and communicate these effectively to the patient and their wider support network as
well as to members of the multi-disciplinary team.
They will demonstrate sound knowledge of the literature relevant to musculoskeletal pain in relation to the
delivery of holistic, evidence based care and will demonstrate an understanding of a multi-professional,
collaborative approach to disease management.
4. Pre-requisite modules or specified entry requirements
Students must hold a health professional qualification at DipHE level or above (or have evidence of study at
that level) and must be working in an appropriate clinical setting where they are able to be involved in the
management of musculoskeletal pain.
Assessing and Managing Joint Pain Level 6
5a. Learning Outcomes
A. Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the module, learners will be expected to:
A1: Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the principles underpinning history taking for patients presenting
with symptoms of musculoskeletal disease.
B. Cognitive skills
At the end of the module learners will be expected to:
B1: Critically analyse current national and international guidelines relating to musculoskeletal pain and apply
the findings to their own area of work including patients with co-morbidities or complex needs
C. Practical and professional skills
At the end of the module, learners will be expected to:
C1: Evaluate the evidence to underpin the key components of both a musculoskeletal and pain assessment
and apply this knowledge to specific patient scenarios,
C2: Assimilate information gained from patient history & clinical data in order to assess patients with
musculoskeletal pain, consider differential diagnosis, and to plan & implement patient care appropriately
including identifying signs and symptoms which would indicate the need for urgent or further referral
C3: Integrate their knowledge and understanding of musculoskeletal pain with their knowledge of other
common long-term conditions to justify pharmacological and non-pharmacological management strategies
for patients with complex needs
D Key transferable skills
At the end of the module, learners will be expected to:
D1 : Critically appraise the tools available to support assessment of the psychological needs of a patient
D2: Reflect on their role in the communication of support and management plans to both the wider multidisciplinary team and the support network of the patient. This incorporates a shared-decision making
approach and development of self-management strategies
5b. Learning and teaching strategy (across all learning outcomes)
Comprehensive distance learning materials supported by interactive activities and face-to-face study days.
Further support from student support services including telephone & e-mail support and a comprehensive
student guide. Additional peer discussion opportunities via a student forum will also be available
Assessing and Managing Joint Pain Level 6
6. Indicative content.
The subjects covered include:
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Epidemiology (including the impact of musculoskeletal pain to the Health Service)
Pathophysiology of common forms of musculoskeletal disease
History Taking
Assessment and Differential diagnosis (including the identification of “red flags” for urgent onward
referral)
Pharmacological management approaches
Non-pharmacological management strategies (including shared decision making)
Living with musculoskeletal pain – the impact on the patient and their support network
Musculoskeletal pain in relation to other co-morbidities and long-term conditions
Organisation of care (including the wider multi-disciplinary team)
7. Assessment strategy, assessment methods and their relative weightings
Students are assessed by written assignments.
Part 1 – Problem Solving Assignment 2000 words
Students are required to submit a 2,000 word assignment which will comprise of four parts. The questions
will be focussed on specific patient management scenarios and will follow the problem based approach to
learning that is used throughout the learning materials and the face to face contact days. The students are
required to demonstrate the ability to evaluate the situation and to demonstrate the ability to critically
appraise the evidence base to demonstrate depth of knowledge and understanding of key concepts in making
clinical recommendations.
The Problem Solving Assignment component comprises 40% of the total module mark
Part 2 – Case Study
Students are required to submit an assignment of 3,000 words based on a specific patient scenario selected
by the student. This must provide evidence of knowledge and understanding of the management of
musculoskeletal pain in clinical practice.
The Case Study comprises 60% of the overall module mark.
Criteria for a pass
40% in each element of assessment and 40% overall
Reassessment is as per the regulations in the Student Guide.
Assessing and Managing Joint Pain Level 6
8. Mapping of assessment tasks to learning outcomes
Assessment Tasks
Learning Outcome
Problem Solving
Assignment
(40%)
A1: Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the principles underpinning
history taking for patients presenting with symptoms of
musculoskeletal disease.

Case study
(60%)
B1: Critically analyse current national and international guidelines
relating to musculoskeletal pain and apply the findings to their own
area of work including patients with co-morbidities or complex needs

C1: Evaluate the evidence to underpin the key components of both a
musculoskeletal and pain assessment and apply this knowledge to
specific patient scenarios

C2: Assimilate information gained from patient history & clinical data in
order to assess patients with musculoskeletal pain, consider differential
diagnosis, and to plan & implement patient care appropriately including
identifying signs and symptoms which would indicate the need for
urgent or further referral


C3: Integrate their knowledge and understanding of musculoskeletal
pain with their knowledge of other common long-term conditions to
justify pharmacological and non-pharmacological management
strategies for patients with complex needs


D1 : Critically appraise the tools available to support assessment of the
psychological needs of a patient

D2: Reflect on their role in the communication of support and
management plans to both the wider multi-disciplinary team and the
support network of the patient, incorporating a shared-decision making
approach

9. Teaching staff associated with the module
Tutor’s name and contact details
Contact hours
Bev Bostock
Office hours
E:Mail: ([email protected])
Assessing and Managing Joint Pain Level 6
10. Key reading list
Author
Year
Title
Publisher
Oliver S
2009
Hill J
McGhee
20O6
2009
Cox
Newman
2004
2009
Barlow
2009
Oxford Handbook of Musculoskeletal Nursing Oxford University
Press
Rheumatology Nursing: A creative approach John Wiley & Sons
A guide to laboratory investigations
Radcliffe Publishing
Ltd
Physical assessment for nursing
Blackwell publishing
Chronic physical illness: self-management and McGraw Hill OUP
behavioural interventions
Living with Arthritis
BPS Blackwell
11. Other indicative text (e.g. websites)
http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/
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Health professionals and students section: Good practice for nurses and AHP’s
Health professionals and students section: Video resources
Health Professionals and students section: Reports
Health Professionals and students section: Student Handbook
Publications section: Information for medical professionals
http://www.rcn.org.uk
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Resources section: Rheumatology forum
http://www.nice.org.uk
http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/category/policy-areas/nhs/long-term-conditions/
http://www.nras.org.uk/
http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk
Assessing and Managing Joint Pain Level 6
Location
Oxford
West Sussex
Oxford
Oxford
Maidenhead
West Sussex