PAIN ASSESSMENT IN SPECIAL POPULATIONS

Course overview

Sensitivity to pain can vary widely between patient populations. Pain syndromes are common in older adulthood, yet older adult patients are less likely than younger patients to have their pain effectively managed because of clinician fear of drug-drug interactions and reluctance to prescribe opiates, or because of difficulties in assessing pain in this population. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of pain assessment in special populations, including how sensitivity to pain can vary between special populations and the importance of adapting pain assessment to each special population in order to effectively manage pain. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.