Pain psychology specialist training 2012–2014

Abstract

Abstract Aims The training includes learning the practical skills related to the psychological examination, treatment and rehabilitation of pain patients. The completion of the training prepares for work in multiprofessional teams as a specialist in pain psychology. A joint project of the Finnish Association of the Study of Pain and the Psychology Institute since 2008. Participants Psychologists working in public, private or occupational health care, in rehabilitation or psychiatric clinics. The fourth training group of 20 psychologists started in the spring of 2012. More than 40 psychologists have already been trained in 1998-2010. The structure and content of the training: Seminars Eight seminars include 12 days of training on the topics of pain as a psychosocial phenomenon, psychological assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of pain patients, interaction and multiprofessional teamwork. Tutorial groups Eight tutorial meetings of 5 students and one tutor in each group gather together in different parts of Finland to discuss selected scientific articles, work on their professional identity as pain psychologists and receive supervision of clinical and diploma work. Literature Getting acquainted with scientific research reports on pain psychology and with vocational literature. Diploma work Written article or a short research report on a development project, experiment or a phenomenon related to pain psychology. Optional studies Giving a lecture or training on the topic of pain psychology to other professionals or patients, participating in a pain education organized by others, writing a report on a research, treatment or rehabilitation experiment or a book review to be published