Pain curriculum for graduation in Physiotherapy in Brazil

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To introduce the cur-riculum in Pain for Graduation in Physiotherapy, suggesting its use for academic training in Brazil. CONTENTS: Considering that physiotherapists should be pre-pared to engage in the health care professional team assisting patients with different kinds of pain understanding the role of each professional, a group of physiotherapists with academic and clinical experience in pain treatment has developed, after con-sensus, this curriculum of pain for physiotherapy, which high-lights the role of this professional in the health care team and the development of a therapeutic relationship with patients, favoring patients' autonomy and education, as well as the strategies for pain evaluation and management. CONCLUSION: The specific content of this pain curriculum can be integrated into different programs/courses, using the most adequate structure and educational method with regard to professional needs and their demands. Physical therapy, pain and models of academic training in health are discussed.