Understanding Chronic Pain in Adults (32 min)

• Definitions and classifications

• Origins and contributing factors (inflammation, injury, neurological damage, autoimmune conditions, idiopathic causes)

• Types and mechanisms of chronic pain

• ICD-11 classification

• Biological mechanisms of pain

• Emotional toll and role loss

• Social determinants of health and systemic barriers

• Epidemiology and prevalence

• Impact on daily functioning

• Stigma and misconceptions

Psychosocial Dimensions of Chronic Pain (15 min)

• Depression, anxiety, PTSD

• Social isolation, role changes, identity loss

• Cultural, gender, and racial disparities

• Trauma and adverse childhood experiences

• Pain catastrophizing and learned helplessness

Comprehensive Assessment and Screening (15 min)

• Biopsychosocial-spiritual frameworks

• Validated tools: Pain Disability Index, PHQ-9, Brief Pain Inventory

• Risk factors for opioid misuse, depression, suicide

• Functional and quality-of-life assessments

• Family and caregiver perspectives

Evidence-Based Interventions and Treatment Approaches (15 min)

• CBT for chronic pain (CBT-CP)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Motivational Interviewing

• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

• Coordination with PT/OT

Multidisciplinary and Interprofessional Collaboration (14 min)

• Roles of pain specialists, physicians, nurses, PT/OT, behavioral health

• Navigating medical systems and treatment planning

• Social work role in case coordination and advocacy

• Communication strategies

• Promoting continuity of care

Advocacy, Equity, and Access to Care (14 min)

• Barriers: insurance, location, provider bias

• Advocacy at individual, institutional, and policy levels

• Addressing disparities in marginalized populations

• Disability claims and accommodations

• Ethical considerations in access

Chronic Pain and Substance Use Concerns (14 min)

• Intersection of chronic pain and opioid use

• Harm reduction approaches

• Identifying and managing substance use risk

• Co-treatment planning for dual diagnoses

• Social worker’s role in opioid safety education

Supporting Clients’ Emotional and Relational Needs (13 min)

• Grief, loss, emotional processing

• Strengthening relationships and family support

• Group therapy and peer support models

• Caregiver burnout and compassion fatigue

• Promoting self-efficacy and empowerment

Trauma-Informed and Client-Centered Approaches (14 min)

• Principles of trauma-informed care in pain settings

• Language use and validation techniques

• Building trust and safety

• Avoiding retraumatization

• Supporting autonomy and collaborative decision-making

Resilience and Coping Skills for Clients and Providers (12 min)

• Developing realistic hope and goals

• Pacing, activity scheduling, energy conservation

• Emotion regulation and stress management tools

• Clinician resilience: vicarious trauma, supervision, boundaries, burnout prevention

Legal, Ethical, and Documentation Considerations (10 min)

• Informed consent and documentation standards

• Confidentiality in multidisciplinary teams

• Ethical dilemmas in pain care

• Advocacy within professional boundaries

Total Time

180 minutes (3 CE Hours)