Course Title: Apply principles of pain neuroscience

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2025

Course Code: REHA5014C

Course Title: Apply principles of pain neuroscience

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5426 - Diploma of Remedial Massage

Course Contact: Toby Glennon

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 0320

Course Contact Email: toby.glennon@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 90

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

There are no pre-requisites for this unit

Course Description

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply the principles of pain neuroscience in health care assessment and treatment.

This unit applies to a broad range of health care practitioners.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

HLTMSG016 Apply principles of pain neuroscience

Element:

1. Maintain practical knowledge of the principles of pain neuroscience.

Performance Criteria:

1.1. Research and monitor credible sources of information relevant to pain neuroscience. 1.2. Interpret credible sources of information to identify recent developments in pain neuroscience relevant to health care assessment and treatment. 1.3. Reflect on application of recent developments in pain neuroscience to own health care assessment and treatment practice.

Element:

2. Apply principles of pain neuroscience to health care assessment and treatment.

Performance Criteria:

2.1. Consult with client and review client health records to gather client pain presentation information. 2.2. Discuss biopsychosocial factors that may impact on pain presentation with the client. 2.3. Discuss health care treatment options and client expectations relevant to pain presentation with the client. 2.4. Document health care treatment plan to meet client needs including pain presentation. 2.5. Recognise pain presentation needs that are beyond scope of own practice and offer referrals where needed.

Element:

3. Reflect on practice.

Performance Criteria:

3.1. Use feedback from others and self-reflection to determine improvements to own practice. 3.2. Identify areas of own practice for further research or development to support client outcomes. 3.3. Proactively seek and respond to professional development opportunities relevant to pain neuroscience. 3.4. Identify current and emerging industry developments and networks that can support improvement of own practice

Learning Outcomes


Please refer to the Elements of Competency above


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

Semester 2, 2025

Delivery Week Topic Assessment / Learning activities
1 Introduction to unit and Pain
2 The Nervous System
3 Neurophysiology of Pain
4 The Biopsychosocial Aspects of Pain
5 AT2 - Case Study Session
6 AT2 - Case Study Session
7 AT1 - Quiz

AT1 Due - Online Quiz

**Bring a laptop or device to complete this on campus, within class time

8 Review and Reassessment AT2 Due - Client practical reports


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

To assist you with your learning, RMIT University will provide access to free Campus Wi Fi and internet, access to Canvas LMS. RMIT also has available free access to computers and study spaces: https://www.rmit.edu.au/library/about-and-contacts/computers-and-study-spaces

The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:


Overview of Assessment

Assessments may include any of the below :

  • Case studies
  • Quizzes
  • Knowledge assessment
  • Portfolio assessment
  • Role play
  • Clinical logbook
  • Practical assessments


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 program manager 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

These assessment task's require you to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge in Apply principles of pain neuroscience

Assessment Task 1 - Online quiz

You are required to answer all the required questions. This is an online quiz, completed in class time. You must bring a laptop or device to complete this quiz. Please let your teacher know if you can not bring a device or laptop

Assessment Task 2 - Case study/report

- Students are to document a case for three (3) clients presenting with a significant pain syndrome in the student clinic or simulated clinical environment.

- Students are to summarise the main details of the case, including treatment plan implemented in the initial treatment.

- The case should then be discussed with their clinical supervisor or teacher, and reflected upon to determine any additional advice to the client, further treatment aspects, referral options, and improvements in own practice.

- A Client History Form and an Initial Intake Form is to be submitted along with each case study.

This task is completed in class time and case studies will be given out


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.

Class attendance of less than 80% of the class exercise sessions may negatively impact any possibility of additional submissions (see also above in “Assessment Tasks: Re-submissions”).

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 result and then contact their teacher on the outcome.

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 to your Program Coordinator through your Canvas Course Shell 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