PAIN5028: Semester 1, 2025
Skip to main content
Unit outline_

PAIN5028: Musculoskeletal Pain and Rehabilitation

Semester 1, 2025 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit explores the field of musculoskeletal pain and the interface between musculoskeletal pain assessment, treatment strategies and interventions resulting in disability and requiring rehabilitation. There are many controversial issues in musculoskeletal pain management and many unanswered questions. You will review what is known and understood, and what is believed to be best clinical practice in musculoskeletal assessment, management and rehabilitation.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Postgrad Coursework - SMS
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
PAIN5013
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Duncan Sanders, duncan.sanders@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Duncan Sanders, duncan.sanders@sydney.edu.au
Timothy Austin, t.austin@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Critical Review
Written report
50% STUVAC
Due date: 11 May 2025 at 23:59
3000-3500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Education Resources
Written report
30% Week 11
Due date: 01 Jun 2025 at 23:59
1000-1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Online task group assignment Structured Online Discussion Task
Online discussion participation.
20% Week 13
Due date: 25 May 2025 at 23:59
Multiple weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Assignment 1. Structured online discussion: This discussion activity is conducted from Week 2 to Week 13. In order to pass this assessment you must actively contribute to the discussion task every week. Your postings must make a useful contribution to the discussion. Each week the tutor will post up 1-2 discussion questions in the discussion forum for you to consider. These questions are provided to initiate discussion about the module content and core readings.
  • Assignment 2. Educational resources: In this assignment you need to develop information sheets/summary documents that could be used to educate health professionals about important aspects, issues and/or controversies about musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation.
  • Assignment 3. Critical review: Write a critical review of some published literature in the field of musculoskeletal pain and/or rehabilitation.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Meets the unit requirements to an exceptional standard

Distinction

75 - 84

Meets the unit requirements to a very high standard

Credit

65 - 74

Meets the unit requirements to a good standard

Pass

50 - 64

Meets the unit requirements to an acceptable standard

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator. 

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions. 

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit. 

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply. 

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week -01 Orientation Individual study (2 hr)  
Week 01 Online Introduction Individual study (8 hr)  
Week 02 Module 1: Musculoskeletal overview Individual study (20 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Module 2: Overview of functioning and disability Individual study (20 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 06 Module 3: Mechanisms of musculoskeletal pain Individual study (20 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 08 Module 4: Assessment of musculoskeletal pain Individual study (20 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 10 Module 5: Medical and non-medical management Individual study (20 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Module 6: Integrating the themes Individual study (20 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Active participation in online discussion forums is a compulsory activity for completion of this unit of study. It is expected that students will contribute unique content and/or reflections on other students’ postings at least twice per week.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There is no prescribed textbook for this unit of study. All required readings are available online via Canvas and the University Library.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Explain what is currently known about the mechanisms of musculoskeletal pain.
  • LO2. Discuss multidisciplinary assessment and management of musculoskeletal pain.
  • LO3. Assess the evidence of effectiveness of pain rehabilitation in the context of musculoskeletal pain.
  • LO4. Discuss the controversial issues and considerations in musculoskeletal pain and its rehabilitation in clinical practice.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Study materials: All of the learning materials for this course can be accessed via Canvas. Students must successfully complete the Academic Honesty Module to gain access to these online materials.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

This unit of study outline was last modified on 07 Feb 2025.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.