Tim Friedlander
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences endorsed in Pain and Pain Management (2015)
Throughout my practice as an Osteopath, the most challenging patients have always been those that present with complex and chronic pain syndromes that seem separate from any underlying musculoskeletal issues. As a lecturer teaching Health Science, it has also been a challenge describing to students how complex a seemingly simple concept like 'pain' can be!
The papers offered within the Pain Management programmes at University of Otago allowed me to approach the subject from a number of different angles, and the tutors were focused on ensuring it was kept relevant to my experience and needs. As the programme had students from a range of health disciplines, studying in the programme was also an excellent opportunity to discuss the way each practitioner approached pain management and patient care.
The flexibility of the programme structure allowed me to study at a rate that meant I could manage the demands of clinical practice, teaching and family while maintaining progress through first the Postgraduate Certificate, and then the Postgraduate Diploma. Studying through Distance learning requires a degree of self-motivation and focus, but the regular teleconferences and forum discussions ensured I was never too far removed from the course.
The knowledge I have gained through the course has been immediately applicable in practice and has served to both deepen my understanding of pain and pain management, as well as give me greater confidence in my skills and practice in this area. It has opened up greater ability for me to collaborate with other health professionals and understand how I can work with and support different treatment approaches.
Although my initial aim was only to complete the Postgraduate Diploma, the topics and discussions raised throughout my studies have renewed my interest in further study and provided me with a number of options for possible research topics.
Find out more about the programmes offered in this subject area.