Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2025
Course Code: COTH5020
Course Title: Apply knowledge of pain science in a clinical setting
School: 535T Social Care and Health
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6189 - Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy
Course Contact: Toby Glennon
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99250320
Course Contact Email: toby.glennon@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Nominal Hours: 110
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None
Course Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to support patient understanding of pain and to develop, implement and evaluate a pain management strategy for a patient.
The unit applies to a person who is practicing as a Myotherapist within a clinical setting as an independent practitioner or as a member of a team within a health care clinic.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian Standards, industry codes of practice and clinic guidelines.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VU23632 Apply knowledge of pain science in a clinical setting |
Element: |
Develop and implement pain management strategy |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Develop a rehabilitation framework that incorporates pain neuroscience education and addresses biological, psychological and social factors that may influence the patient's pain experience 2.2 Identify barriers and limitations to treatment using a biopsychosocial approach 2.3 Implement treatment techniques and approaches to manage pain 2.4 Provide and develop with patient techniques and strategies to support self-management of pain VU23632 - Apply knowledge of pain science in a clinical setting 22656VIC Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy (v1.0) © State of Victoria 2024 Page 20 of 75 2.5 Update patient records according to clinic guidelines |
Element: |
Evaluate pain management strategy |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Monitor the patient's pain experience and understanding of pain 3.2 Utilise a pain assessment tool to evaluate the impact of the treatment on the patient's quality of life 3.3 Make adjustments to patient's treatment where required and update patient records |
Element: |
Support patient to develop understanding of pain |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Perform patient consultation and assessment within a biopsychosocial framework 1.2 Identify patient's understanding of the source and nature of pain being experienced 1.3 Utilise current pain science theory to discuss with patient their experience of pain and provide education on pain 1.4 Explain and describe, in non-technical language, how myotherapy techniques and modalities can help influence a patient's pain experience |
Learning Outcomes
- Support patient to develop understanding of pain
- Develop and implement pain management strategy
- Evaluate pain management strategy
The critical learning for this course takes place in face to face classes and simulated clinics within in RMIT. You will be instructed in skills through demonstration, modelling and role play
Details of Learning Activities
This course will be delivered face to face on campus and will include some of the following activities:
- class exercises to review discussions/lectures
- practical demonstrations in studio
- analysis/critique of relevant reading material
- seminars/workshops
- design activities or projects
- group projects
- peer learning
- guest lecture/presentation
- class presentations
- group discussion
- research
- independent project-based work
- group activities/projects
- ‘workshopping’ of student projects including peer/lecturer feedback
- simulated workplace activities
Teaching Schedule
| Delivery Week | RMIT Week | Topic | Assessment / Learning activities |
| 1 | Week 9 |
|
Group work |
| 2 | Week 10 |
|
Group work |
| 3 | Week 11 |
|
Group work |
| 4 | Week 12 |
|
Group work |
| 5 | Week 13 |
|
Group work |
| 6 | Week 14 |
|
Group work |
| 7 | Week 15 |
|
Group work |
| 8 | Week 16 |
|
AT1 - Online Quiz **Bring a laptop or device to complete this on campus, within class time |
| 9 | Week 17 | C6189 - Attendance period - attendance required |
|
| 10 | Week 18 | C6189 - Attendance period - attendance required. |
|
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
The recommended text for this unit is Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, 15th edition by Gerald J. Totora
The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:
The Learning Lab
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab
The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub
English for uni workshops
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/workshops/english-uni-workshops
Overview of Assessment
To be deemed competent you must demonstrate an understanding of all aspects required of the competency. Assessment methods have been designed to measure your achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over multiple tasks.
Assessment Tasks
Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace.
To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.
Every task must be completed satisfactorily for competence to be achieved. Unless otherwise advised you must submit all work via the RMIT issued assessment tool which is located in Canvas for you to populate.
Resubmissions are at the discretion of the teacher and/or coordinator. Please see below statement under Resubmission
You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria and due dates
Assessment Task 1 - Online quiz
This quiz will be completed in allocated class time. All questions must be answered correctly.
Assessment Task 2 – Client practical
In student clinic or simulated clinic at RMIT you are to complete the following on 3 different clients.
In the initial consultation the client will fill out a pain assessment tool, this will be used as part of the baseline measurement (along with subjective and objective history)
During the client intake and clinical assessment, you will discuss with each client their health history, pain presentation, understanding of pain and the impacts of pain
In a follow up consultation, the student must use the same pain assessment tool to determine the impact of treatment on the client’s life.
In this task, education using current pain science theory, the use of layman’s terminology, development and implementation of a pain neuroscience framework, self-management techniques and evaluation of pain management strategies is required.
Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:
CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment
Resubmissions
You will be given two (2) attempts for each assessment to demonstrate the required skills. If a student does not submit an assessment on the first date provided however submits on the resubmission date this submission will be the only attempt allowed.
A supplementary assessment can only be offered after discussions between teacher and the Program Coordinator and is not automatic. Supplementary assessments are at the discretion of the Program Coordinator and Program Manager after a conversation is had by the teacher, Program Coordinator and Program Manager. A supplementary assessment will take into account class attendance( 80-100% requirement), interaction within class and communication with the class teacher.
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These mapping documents are available through Program Administration if required
Other Information
Attendance: Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises.
It is strongly advised and expected that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.
If you attend late to a lab/clinic/practical teaching session you must wait to be allowed entrance to the lab/clinic as this can pose a WHS issue, especially if specialised equipment is being used and demonstrated. Teachers are permitted to not allow you to use equipment if formal training has been missed, if this happens you must request a meeting with the teacher and program coordinator to discuss moving forward.
If you miss an assessment or assessable practical class you need to apply for special consideration. The special consideration department will ask you to provide a medical certificate or give other evidence to support your request. Once Special consideration has been applied for the students will wait for the results and then contact their teacher on the outcome of the result.
Information about your studies: You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc. https://www.rmit.edu.au/students
Extensions of time for submission of assessable work: If you are prevented from submitting an assessment on time by circumstances outside your control you may apply for an extension of up to seven (7) calendar days in writing (email) to your teacher and Program Coordinator one working day BEFORE the due date. Please provide evidence and /or valid reasonings why you were unable to complete the submission on time within this email. Extensions cannot be guaranteed if evidence or valid reasons are not given. Eligibility criteria for application and the form is available from the link: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work
Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration.
Special consideration: If due to illness or other unforeseen circumstance, you are unable to attend on the due date of an assessment (e.g. test, examination, oral, etc.), you may submit an application for special consideration within 5 working days of the due date. If special consideration is granted, you will be given the opportunity to complete/repeat the assessment task at a later date. For advice on this application please visit www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration or speak to your Program Coordinator.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism: RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy. https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning: Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences. Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit
Course Overview: Access Course Overview