The LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Pain Medicine (PgDPM) is an advanced qualification designed for healthcare professionals who wish to develop their expertise in the assessment, management, and treatment of pain. This programme is not intended for beginners; rather, it is specifically created for experienced practitioners who are seeking to enhance their clinical knowledge, strengthen their skills, and expand their Continuing Professional Development (CPD). By focusing on evidence-based practice and advanced therapeutic approaches, the course equips learners with the ability to deliver safe, ethical, and effective pain management across diverse healthcare settings.
Pain medicine is a multidisciplinary field that requires an in-depth understanding of physiology, pharmacology, psychology, and interventional techniques. This diploma provides learners with the opportunity to critically evaluate the latest research, explore innovative treatment methods, and apply advanced clinical strategies for both acute and chronic pain conditions. By undertaking this qualification, learners can progress towards senior clinical roles, academic positions, or specialist practice within pain management.
Centres delivering this diploma are required to demonstrate excellence in education and training. They must ensure that all teaching staff are competent, experienced, and appropriately qualified in pain medicine or related healthcare disciplines. Additionally, centres must provide access to the necessary clinical facilities, learning resources, and assessment tools to create a supportive and effective learning environment.
The LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Pain Medicine (PgDPM) empowers learners to refine their professional practice, contribute to improved patient outcomes, and advance their careers within this highly specialised area of medicine.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Pain Medicine (PgDPM)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
120
GLH
600
Qualification #
LICQ2200995
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Pain Medicine (PgDPM), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2200995-1 |
Advanced Principles of Pain Medicine |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2200995-2 |
Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Techniques in Pain Management |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2200995-3 |
Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Therapies in Pain Medicine |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2200995-4 |
Interventional Techniques in Pain Medicine |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2200995-5 |
Ethics, Governance, and Professional Practice in Pain Medicine |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2200995-6 |
Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice in Pain Medicine |
20 |
100 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Advanced Principles of Pain Medicine
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of pain.
- Differentiate between acute, chronic, neuropathic, and nociceptive pain conditions.
- Analyse the biopsychosocial model of pain and its implications for clinical practice.
- Apply advanced theoretical knowledge to complex pain management scenarios.
Unit 2: Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Techniques in Pain Management
- Conduct comprehensive patient histories and advanced clinical assessments.
- Apply diagnostic imaging and laboratory techniques in the evaluation of pain.
- Critically assess patient suitability for different pain management strategies.
- Develop evidence-based treatment plans tailored to individual patient needs.
Unit 3: Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Therapies in Pain Medicine
- Evaluate the pharmacological agents used in pain management, including opioids, NSAIDs, and adjuvant medications.
- Demonstrate safe prescribing practices in line with international standards.
- Critically appraise non-pharmacological interventions such as physiotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and complementary approaches.
- Integrate multidisciplinary strategies for holistic pain care.
Unit 4: Interventional Techniques in Pain Medicine
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of interventional procedures, including nerve blocks and spinal injections.
- Critically evaluate the evidence base supporting interventional pain therapies.
- Apply patient safety protocols and risk management strategies in interventional practice.
- Assess treatment outcomes and refine approaches based on clinical evidence.
Unit 5: Ethics, Governance, and Professional Practice in Pain Medicine
- Analyse ethical dilemmas in pain management, including end-of-life care and long-term opioid use.
- Demonstrate knowledge of clinical governance frameworks and regulatory standards.
- Apply principles of professional accountability and patient safety in practice.
- Promote ethical decision-making and patient-centred care in pain medicine.
Unit 6: Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice in Pain Medicine
- Design and implement research projects relevant to pain medicine.
- Critically appraise academic literature and clinical evidence in the field.
- Apply quantitative and qualitative methods to analyse complex research data.
- Integrate research outcomes into clinical practice to improve patient care.
The LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Pain Medicine (PgDPM) is designed for:
- Medical doctors and physicians wishing to specialise in pain management and expand their clinical expertise.
- Anaesthetists and palliative care specialists looking to advance their skills in acute and chronic pain management.
- Registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and allied health professionals aiming to progress into advanced roles within pain medicine.
- Pharmacists and prescribing practitioners seeking deeper knowledge of pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain therapies.
- Physiotherapists and rehabilitation specialists interested in integrating advanced pain medicine into multidisciplinary practice.
- Healthcare professionals with prior experience in clinical practice who wish to formalise their expertise with an internationally recognised Level 7 qualification.
- Learners committed to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and advancing their careers in this specialised area of medicine.
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Pain Medicine (PgDPM) must meet the following requirements to ensure high-quality education, effective training, and successful learner outcomes:
- Qualified and Experienced Staff: Tutors, trainers, and assessors must be appropriately qualified in medicine, pain management, anaesthesia, or related healthcare disciplines, with proven teaching or clinical expertise.
- Comprehensive Learning Resources: Centres must provide access to current textbooks, medical journals, e-learning platforms, and clinical guidelines to support advanced postgraduate study.
- Specialist Clinical Facilities: Suitable clinical environments, simulation equipment, and access to relevant diagnostic and interventional tools must be available for practical learning.
- Robust Quality Assurance Systems: Effective internal and external quality assurance processes must be in place to maintain academic integrity, consistency, and compliance with awarding body requirements.
- Learner Support Services: Centres should provide mentoring, academic guidance, and professional support to enhance learner achievement and career progression.
- Commitment to CPD and Professional Standards: Centres must align with international regulations, ethical frameworks, and professional standards in pain medicine and healthcare practice.
- Safe and Inclusive Environment: All training must be delivered in a professional, ethical, and supportive setting that promotes equality, patient safety, and learner welfare.
Assessment and Verification
All units within this qualification are subject to internal assessment by the approved centre and external verification by LICQual. The qualification follows a criterion-referenced assessment approach, ensuring that learners meet all specified learning outcomes.
To achieve a ‘Pass’ in any unit, learners must provide valid, sufficient, and authentic evidence demonstrating their attainment of all learning outcomes and compliance with the prescribed assessment criteria. The Assessor is responsible for evaluating the evidence and determining whether the learner has successfully met the required standards.
Assessors must maintain a clear and comprehensive audit trail, documenting the basis for their assessment decisions to ensure transparency, consistency, and compliance with quality assurance requirements.
