Non-Cancer Pain Management

Non-cancer pain remains one of the most common and complex challenges in clinical care, impacting quality of life, function, and healthcare utilization. This course provides a detailed exploration of the mechanisms, assessment tools, and evidence-based strategies used in the management of non-cancer pain, with particular attention to chronic pain syndromes. Content integrates pharmacologic therapies as well as non-pharmacologic and interventional modalities. Special considerations for older adults, patients with centralized pain syndromes, and those with psychosocial comorbidities are addressed throughout. Case-based examples and visual frameworks will help contextualize key principles and promote real-world application.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, the participant will be able to:

1. Differentiate among nociceptive, neuropathic, and centralized pain mechanisms and describe their clinical relevance in non-cancer pain syndromes.
2. Conduct a comprehensive pain assessment incorporating functional impact, psychosocial contributors, and risk factors for chronicity.
3. Evaluate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment modalities, including risk mitigation strategies for opioid prescribing.
4. Identify special considerations in managing chronic pain among older adults and individuals with complex comorbidities.
5. Integrate multimodal and interdisciplinary approaches to improve function, reduce pain burden, and support individualized care.