In this course, you will be able to develop a systems view for assessing and managing pain in the palliative care setting. By the end of the course, you will be able to: 1) Describe the pain problem in the palliative care setting; 2) Assess a person’s pain, 3) Explain the benefits of integrative therapies and pharmacologic strategies to manage pain.
Pain Management: Easing Pain in Palliative Care
Pain Management: Easing Pain in Palliative Care
This course is part of Palliative Care: It's Not Just Hospice Anymore Specialization
Instructors: Regina Fink
7,312 already enrolled
Included with 
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8
(181 reviews)
Beginner level
No prior experience required
14 hours to complete
3 weeks at 4 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Details to know
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Assessments
5 assignments
Taught in English
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Build your subject-matter expertise
This course is part of the Palliative Care: It's Not Just Hospice Anymore Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review
There are 5 modules in this course
In this module, you will review pain assessment basics. You will start with defining pain and the scope of the pain problem in the palliative care setting. You will review various pain types and causes of pain in people with serious illness. To understand how pain medications and integrative pain therapies work to decrease pain, you need to know how the body recognizes pain and makes a person hurt. Common barriers to good pain management and myths and misconceptions will be discussed. You will review how to evaluate a person’s pain and how to know if persons are having pain when they cannot tell you. Remember pain is a personal experience.
What's included
8 videos9 readings1 assignment
In this module, you will review the many dimensions that can affect the way pain is expressed and how it responds to treatment. You will also review various integrative therapies or healing practices that focus on the relationship between the provider and whole person, including the mind, body, and spirit, to improve health, healing, and pain. You will start with defining complementary and alternative therapies and understanding the difference between the two. You will review four integrative health domains as defined by the National Center for Integrative Health which is part of the National Institutes of Health. Finally, you will evaluate the best evidence about the use of these therapies in managing pain in people with serious illness. Remember, it is important to ask patients if they use integrative health therapies. Try to understand their past experiences and attitudes toward non-drug treatments. The key is to find out what works for the person in pain with his/her unique characteristics. As caregivers we need to be open to various approaches and our patient’s wishes.
What's included
6 videos6 readings1 assignment
When people have pain their quality of life can be poor and they can experience more suffering. In this module, you will learn about non-opioid medications that can be used to treat pain and ease suffering.
What's included
4 videos3 readings1 assignment
When people have pain their quality of life can be poor and they can experience more suffering. In this module, you will learn about opioid medications that can be used to treat pain and ease suffering.
What's included
5 videos4 readings1 assignment
In this module, you will review a case study of Mrs. Ana Garcia, a mock patient diagnosed with cervical cancer. Listen to her story and think about what you would do to advocate for her and help her pain. You will answer questions based on your new knowledge and skills you have learned from modules 1 to 4. This summative assessment has two parts. First, you will answer seven questions reflecting on material presented in the first two modules of our course, “Easing Pain.” Once you successfully pass the first part of the summative assessment, answer the next 8 questions about Anna’s case based on materials learned from modules 3 and 4. Good luck!
What's included
1 video1 assignment
Instructors
Instructor ratings
4.9 (51 ratings)Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Patient Care
University of Colorado System
University of Colorado System
Stanford University
Stanford University
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Learner reviews
4.8
181 reviews
- 5 stars
83.97%
- 4 stars
13.25%
- 3 stars
2.20%
- 2 stars
0%
- 1 star
0.55%
Showing 3 of 181
NJ
5
Reviewed on Apr 21, 2019
I found this course so very useful in gaining information about pain management. Very informative and a pleasure to work my way through the course. My thanks to the educators and course organisers.
JD
5
Reviewed on Apr 17, 2020
This course presented a lot of valuable information in an easy to understand and engaging format. Thank you!
J
5
Reviewed on Jul 9, 2020
Well organized and helpful. Would definitely take another class.
New to Patient Care? Start here.
Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.