Clinical Decision Making for Patients in Pain is a three-week, self-paced course which equips clinicians to connect pain science principles to evaluating and establishing a plan of care for those struggling with pain. Topics include patient screening, determining SINS (sensitivity, irritability, nature and stage), identifying dominant pain mechanisms and connecting treatment to those mechanisms. Clinicians will gain skill and confidence regarding goal setting and prioritization of treatment interventions, as well as receiving information on advancing their pain science toolkit beyond the TPS program.  

By the end of the course, a successful learner will be able to:

• Identify and categorize the 15 Key Points of successful patient/practitioner interactions for those suffering from complex and/or chronic pain. 
• Explain in detail the 3 dominant pain mechanisms and their importance in the clinical decision-making process for patients struggling with persistent pain.  
• Formulate a subjective and objective patient examination which adds confirming or negating evidence to support a clinician’s hypothesis regarding the dominant pain mechanism.  
• Interpret the impact of a patient’s sensitivity, irritability, nature, and stage of symptoms in terms of the rigor of examination and treatment.  
• Determine professional “Next Steps” to remain current in practice upon completion of the TPS program. 
• Employ the material and principles covered in this course to clinical practice. 

Evidence in Motion is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. PD activity approval ID #00000006468. This distance learning independent course is offered for .7 CEUs/7 contact hours at the advanced educational level in the categories of OT service delivery. AOTA does not endorse specific course content, products, or clinical procedures.