EXFRM 2728 Evidence Based Practice in Chronic Pain Management

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This online course is an introduction to an evidence-based understanding of chronic pain with a focus on the application to practice. By the end of this course, participants will have a basic understanding of the multidimensional nature of pain. They will learn patient-centered pain assessment and management strategies using interprofessional collaboration and evidence-based practices to address pain across diverse patient populations.

Course Registration 

Registration now available for the following sections (see details under 'How to Register')

  • September 7 - October 16, 2026 
  • October 19 - November 27, 2026
  • January 11 - February 19, 2027

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Course Hours & Recognition

The course is equivalent to approximately 12 content hours. 35 educational hours are awarded on the official certificate to reflect varying completion times. 

Upon successful completion, you may also claim a digital badge issued by UofA CE—accessible through MyCreds—along with an official University of Alberta non-credit transcript

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Course Facilitator

Dr. Lisa Jasper BMR(PT), MSc, PhD 

Lisa Jasper is the current program lead for the University of Alberta Certificate in Pain Management.  She is an adjunct professor in the University of Alberta Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine where she coordinates the pain certificate and teaches in the graduate programs.  She holds degrees in BSc (chem), BSc Med Rehab (physiotherapy), MSc (chronic pain), and PhD in Rehabilitation Science, with research in chronic pain, physical activity in older adults, and hip/knee osteoarthritis.  Other research interests include pain education, rheumatoid arthritis, and whiplash associated disorders.  She has worked clinically in both rural multidisciplinary clinics and chronic pain clinics.  She is a member of the Pain Society of Alberta, Canadian Pain Society, Canadian Physiotherapy Association (including Pain Science Division), and International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP).  She brings extensive expertise in online and hybrid learning to the certificate program, coupled with a strong dedication to share current, evidence-based information on pain and its management to both healthcare providers and people living with pain.

More Information

Step 1: Complete and submit the faculty CE Unit application form

EXFRM 2728 CE Unit Application Form

Step 2: Proceed to create a UofA CERegister account 

Step 3: Register for a course section at CERegister 

Cost $285

Visit UofA Continuing Education for information on course withdrawal, refund, and transfer policy.

Based on the application of the four domains of the International Association of Pain core competencies to clinical practice, the following are the primary goals of the course.

  1. Multidimensional Nature of Pain

Gain a better understanding of the multidimensional nature of pain, including its sensory, emotional, cognitive, and social dimensions, and the implications for patient outcomes and clinical interventions.

  1. Pain Assessment and Measurement

Demonstrate the ability to conduct comprehensive pain assessments using validated tools and interprofessional collaboration to evaluate pain severity, functional impact, and patient-specific factors.

  1. Management of Pain

Learn evidence-based management strategies tailored to individual patient needs, to achieve optimal pain relief and improve functional outcomes within appropriate scopes of practice.

  1. Clinical Conditions and Context

Increase awareness of the ethical, societal, and cultural challenges in pain management, including disparities in access to care and the stigma surrounding pain and substance use.  Learn practical strategies to help address and manage these challenges.

This course is delivered 100% asynchronously meaning there is no requirement to be online at a specific class date and time. Participants can complete the learning activities in a place and time of their choosing. Content is accessible twenty four (24) hours-a-day from any location with an internet connection.

There are no grades for this course. Instead, students receive a complete or incomplete score based on satisfactory completion of the course. To successfully complete the course students are required to work through all learning activities and achieve 60% on all the knowledge check quizzes at the end of each module. Students are given unlimited quiz attempts and can challenge these at any time throughout the course.

Upon successful completion of each module participants will be issued a faculty digital certificate noting the number of educational hours.

Contact us at sdrefs@ualberta.ca.