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Curriculum: Pain Medicine and Analgesic Pharmacology
Subject: Curriculum: Pain Medicine and Analgesic Pharmacology
50 chapters
Chapters
Learning Objectives lo-fi ambient dub · 4:18 A deep dive into the foundational neuroscience of pain, this track walks you through the key learning objectives of pain medicine — from nociceptor activation and fiber types to the critical stages of transduction, transmission, and modulation along the spinothalamic tract.
1 Nociception and Pain Pathways hip hop, rap bedroom pop · 3:34 Dive into the foundations of how the body detects and processes pain, from the first spark of a stimulus at peripheral nociceptors to the ion channels and nerve fibers that carry those signals to the brain. You'll walk away understanding the key players — Aδ and C fibers, TRPV1, and voltage-gated sodium channels — that make nociception possible.
2 Sensitization and Chronification lo-fi ambient dub · 4:26 Explore how tissue damage triggers a cascade of inflammatory mediators that lower pain thresholds and drive peripheral sensitization, and learn how these mechanisms transform acute pain signals into the foundations of chronic pain conditions.
3 Classification hip hop, rap bedroom pop · 3:15 Diving into the IASP's essential classifications, this track breaks down the critical distinctions between nociception and pain, while unpacking key concepts like allodynia and hyperalgesia that every pain medicine student needs to master.
4 Psychology and Biopsychosocial Model rap · 3:11 A deep dive into the psychology of chronic pain, unpacking how fear, catastrophizing, and avoidance behaviors fuel disability — and why understanding the biopsychosocial model is essential for breaking the cycle.
Self-Assessment lo-fi, ambient, dreamy, relaxed · 4:15 Dive into the neuroscience of pain perception, tracing how nociceptors, nerve fibers, and neurotransmitters work together to carry pain signals from the body to the brain. You'll walk away with a clear understanding of the transduction and transmission process, from the first sharp sting to the lingering ache that follows.
Learning Objectives classical grime, rap · 3:07 A foundational breakdown of core pharmacokinetic principles, Learning Objectives walks listeners through the essential concepts of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination, equipping them with the knowledge to understand how drugs move through the body and how to calculate safe, effective dosing.
1 Pharmacokinetics lo-fi ambient dub · 3:45 Dive into the fundamentals of how pain medications move through the body, from absorption and bioavailability to first-pass metabolism and drug formulation — essential knowledge for understanding why the same drug can behave so differently depending on how it's delivered.
2 Pharmacodynamics hip hop, rap bedroom pop · 3:57 Pharmacodynamics gets a hip-hop makeover as this track breaks down how drugs interact with receptors, unpacking key concepts like affinity, efficacy, and the critical differences between full and partial agonists. Listeners will walk away understanding why drugs like buprenorphine behave so differently at high doses — and why that ceiling effect matters clinically.
3 Pharmacogenomics rap · 3:34 Dive into the world of pharmacogenomics and discover how genetic variations in enzymes like CYP2D6 can make the difference between pain relief and toxicity when prescribing opioids like codeine. You'll learn why a patient's genetic profile is a critical factor in analgesic prescribing decisions.
4 Drug Interactions hip hop, rap bedroom pop · 3:37 Dive into the complex world of drug-drug interactions, where enzyme inhibitors and inducers can send opioid plasma levels dangerously high or unexpectedly low. You'll learn how common medications like azoles, macrolides, rifampin, and even St. John's wort hijack CYP3A4 metabolism, putting patients at serious risk.
5 Dosing Concepts jazz, rap, classical · 3:04 Dive into five foundational dosing concepts in pain medicine, from the nuanced differences between acute and chronic titration strategies to the dangers of undertreating severe pain. You'll come away understanding how to match dosing intensity to clinical urgency and why timid prescribing can be just as harmful as overprescribing.
Self-Assessment lo-fi, ambient, dreamy, relaxed · 4:01 Dive into the complex world of opioid metabolism as Self-Assessment unpacks how genetic variations in CYP2D6 can turn a standard codeine dose into either an ineffective treatment or a dangerous overdose, with life-or-death implications for vulnerable patients like neonates.
Learning Objectives rap · 3:07 A rhythmic introduction to the essential framework of pain assessment, breaking down the SOCRATES mnemonic to help clinicians systematically evaluate and map a patient's pain experience.
1 History and Examination jazz, rap, classical · 3:29 A deep dive into the systematic approach to pain assessment, walking you through essential frameworks like PQRST and OLDCARTS to master the art of taking a thorough pain history and physical examination.
2 Measurement Tools rap · 3:11 A deep dive into the essential measurement tools used to assess and quantify patient pain, covering unidimensional scales like the NRS, VAS, verbal rating scale, and the Faces scale for pediatric patients.
3 Opioid Risk Assessment lo-fi ambient dub · 3:44 Dive into the essential framework of opioid risk assessment, where validated screening tools like the ORT and SOAPP-R help clinicians identify and stratify patient risk before prescribing. You'll learn the five key domains of the Opioid Risk Tool and how scoring guides safer, more informed prescribing decisions.
4 Monitoring Over Time lo-fi ambient dub · 4:12 Effective chronic pain management requires ongoing assessment, and this track breaks down the essential five A's framework used at every follow-up visit to track patient progress. Listeners will learn how to systematically evaluate analgesia, daily functioning, and adverse effects to ensure treatment remains both safe and effective over time.
Self-Assessment jazz, rap, classical · 3:02 A deep dive into pain self-assessment tools for patients who cannot verbally communicate, exploring validated behavioral scales like PAINAD and CPOT used to evaluate pain in elderly, delirious, and critically ill populations.
Learning Objectives jazz, rap, classical · 3:37 A foundational overview of the curriculum sets the stage for deep exploration of pain medicine and analgesic pharmacology, giving listeners a clear roadmap of the key drug classes, mechanisms, and clinical concepts they'll master throughout the course.
1 Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) rap · 3:47 Dive into the surprisingly complex pharmacology of acetaminophen (paracetamol), uncovering its central mechanisms of action — from brain-based COX inhibition to the endocannabinoid system — and why this common painkiller works so differently from traditional anti-inflammatory drugs.
2 NSAIDs and COX-2 Inhibitors lo-fi ambient dub · 4:13 Dive into the world of NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors, exploring how these widely used analgesics target cyclooxygenase enzymes to reduce inflammation and pain. You'll learn the key distinctions between nonselective agents like ibuprofen and naproxen, aspirin's irreversible platelet inhibition, and the selective COX-2 profile of celecoxib.
3 Opioids hip hop, rap bedroom pop · 3:34 Dive deep into the world of opioid pharmacology, exploring the four key receptor types—mu, delta, kappa, and nociceptin—and how drugs like morphine interact with them, including critical clinical considerations like metabolite accumulation in renal failure.
4 Gabapentinoids lo-fi ambient dub · 3:48 Gabapentinoids like gabapentin and pregabalin are demystified here, revealing how these GABA analogs work not through GABA receptors but by binding voltage-gated calcium channels to quiet overactive neurons and reduce pain signaling. Listeners will walk away understanding the precise presynaptic mechanism that makes this drug class essential in pain medicine.
5 Antidepressants lo-fi, ambient, dreamy, relaxed · 4:27 Diving deep into the world of antidepressants used in pain medicine, this chapter breaks down tricyclics, SNRIs, and beyond — covering their mechanisms, side effect profiles, and the clinical precautions every prescriber needs to know.
6 Anticonvulsants (Non-Gabapentinoid) classical grime, rap · 4:04 A deep dive into non-gabapentinoid anticonvulsants and their role in pain management, covering key agents like carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine, their mechanisms of action, clinical applications in conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia, and critical safety considerations including genetic screening for serious adverse reactions.
7 Local Anesthetics hip hop, rap bedroom pop · 3:15 A breakdown of local anesthetics that teaches you how to distinguish amides from esters, how each class is metabolized, and exactly how they shut down nerve conduction by blocking voltage-gated sodium channels.
8 NMDA Antagonists lo-fi ambient dub · 4:47 Dive into the world of NMDA antagonists, where ketamine takes center stage as a dissociative powerhouse blocking glutamate's calcium floodgates. You'll learn how subanesthetic dosing and non-competitive receptor binding make this arylcyclohexamine a cornerstone of modern pain management.
9 Muscle Relaxants and Antispasmodics lo-fi ambient dub · 4:34 Muscle relaxants and antispasmodics come into focus as the track breaks down key agents like cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, and tizanidine, covering their mechanisms, clinical applications, and the critical safety considerations every prescriber needs to know.
10 Corticosteroids hip hop, rap bedroom pop · 3:32 Corticosteroids takes a deep dive into how synthetic cortisol derivatives shut down the inflammatory cascade by targeting glucocorticoid receptors and suppressing key enzymes, while breaking down the key agents — from dexamethasone to betamethasone — and where they're used in clinical pain management.
11 Cannabinoids lo-fi ambient dub · 4:14 Explore the endocannabinoid system through eleven key cannabinoids, uncovering how CB1 and CB2 receptors, retrograde signaling, and endogenous ligands like anandamide work together to modulate pain pathways.
12 Other Agents lo-fi ambient dub · 4:58 Rounding out the analgesic toolkit, 12 Other Agents breaks down alpha-2 agonists like clonidine and dexmedetomidine, exploring how their sympatholytic mechanisms deliver pain relief across clinical settings from chronic patches to ICU sedation, while keeping a close eye on cardiovascular side effects.
Self-Assessment rap · 3:39 A rapid-fire rap assessment covering critical pharmacokinetic pitfalls in opioid metabolism, teaching listeners how renal impairment, genetic variation in CYP2D6, and toxic metabolite accumulation can dramatically alter patient outcomes and safety.
Learning Objectives hip hop, rap bedroom pop · 3:14 A high-energy introduction to the core principles of pain medicine management, breaking down CDC 2022 guidelines, the non-opioid-first approach, and how to set realistic functional goals for both acute and chronic pain patients.
1 Frameworks and Guidelines lo-fi, ambient, dreamy, relaxed · 3:46 A deep dive into the foundational frameworks shaping modern pain management, tracing the World Health Organization's landmark 1986 analgesic ladder and its three-step approach to selecting the right medications — from over-the-counter options to full opioid agonists.
2 Acute Opioid Prescribing hip hop, rap bedroom pop · 3:21 Dive into the evidence-based approach to acute opioid prescribing, where multimodal strategies take center stage before short-acting opioids are carefully introduced for time-limited pain management.
3 Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain lo-fi ambient dub · 4:06 Exploring the evidence behind long-term opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain, this track breaks down key findings from the SPACE trial and systematic reviews, covering patient selection criteria, risk screening, and why functional goals matter more than chasing a pain number.
4 Opioid Rotation and Conversion classical grime, rap · 3:30 Opioid rotation and conversion breaks down the five key clinical indications for switching opioids, equipping listeners with the knowledge to recognize when and why a patient's therapy needs to change.
5 Tapering and Discontinuation rap · 2:38 A deep dive into the clinical and pharmacological principles of safely tapering and discontinuing opioid therapy, teaching listeners how to calculate dosage reductions, recognize when to stop treatment, and protect patients from the life-threatening risks of abrupt cessation.
6 Communication and Documentation lo-fi ambient dub · 3:39 Effective pain management starts with honest, informed conversations, and this chapter breaks down the essentials of patient communication, from explaining opioid risks to obtaining meaningful informed consent. Listeners will learn how to transform clinical documentation and disclosure into a genuine dialogue that builds trust and supports safer prescribing.
Self-Assessment jazz, rap, classical · 3:57 A deep dive into multimodal post-operative pain management, this track walks through the practical steps of transitioning a patient from IV to oral analgesia after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, covering scheduled acetaminophen, adjunct anti-inflammatories, short-term opioid use, and essential patient counseling strategies.
1 Principles of Multimodal Analgesia hip hop, rap bedroom pop · 3:02 A deep dive into multimodal analgesia breaks down why relying on a single drug for pain management falls short, exploring how different receptor pathways — from NMDA to COX cascades — can be targeted together for smarter, more effective pain control.
2 Neuropathic Pain Algorithms classical grime, rap · 3:06 Dive into the structured world of neuropathic pain management as the NeuPSIG algorithm breaks down first-line treatments, from TCAs and SNRIs to gabapentinoids, revealing how each drug class targets the misfiring nervous system. You'll walk away with a clear, tiered framework for selecting analgesic agents when the nerve itself becomes the source of pain.
3 Nociplastic and Widespread Pain lo-fi, ambient, dreamy, relaxed · 4:39 Nociplastic pain — a third and distinct pain mechanism — emerges when the nervous system amplifies signals far beyond any actual tissue damage, driving conditions like fibromyalgia where widespread pain, fatigue, and cognitive fog persist despite normal imaging. Listeners will gain a clear understanding of central sensitization and how to recognize this often-misunderstood category of pain.
4 Non-Pharmacologic Therapies (as they relate to reducing drug burden) hip hop, rap bedroom pop · 3:25 Explore the four key non-pharmacologic therapy lanes for pain management, from physical therapy to graded activity, and discover how movement-based approaches harness neuroplasticity to reduce reliance on medications.
Self-Assessment jazz, rap, classical · 3:05 A complex case of diabetic neuropathy complicated by chronic kidney disease and depression challenges listeners to master stepwise analgesic selection, with a focus on how SNRIs like duloxetine can address multiple conditions simultaneously while navigating critical renal dosing adjustments.
1 Preoperative Planning classical grime, rap · 3:35 A deep dive into preoperative planning for pain management, breaking down how clinicians assess patient risk factors — from anxiety and opioid history to psychological comorbidities — to predict and prevent persistent postsurgical pain before the first incision is made.
2 Intraoperative Techniques rap · 2:58 A deep dive into intraoperative pain management strategies, this track breaks down opioid-sparing anesthesia techniques, exploring how drugs like remifentanil and ketamine interact to prevent rebound hyperalgesia and keep post-surgical pain under control.
3 Postoperative Management lo-fi ambient dub · 3:56 Dive into the essentials of postoperative pain management, covering PCA pump protocols, safe basal infusion practices, and how to identify the right candidates for patient-controlled analgesia while navigating risks like respiratory depression in OSA patients.
4 Specific Acute Pain Scenarios classical grime, rap · 3:33 Four high-stakes acute pain scenarios come to life through hard-hitting verses, starting with traumatic chest injuries where regional anesthesia techniques like thoracic epidurals and paravertebral blocks take center stage over opioid monotherapy to protect respiratory function.