SHDM16001U Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Headache and Facial Pain

Volume 2023/2024
Education

Master of Headache Disorders

 

** This course is offered every other year. The next course is scheduled in 2024 Autumn Semester. 

 

 

Content

The course covers the following topics:

- Epidemiology
- Headache classification.
- Clinical presentation.
- Primary headache types.
- Painful cranial neuropathies.
- Secondary headache types including acute headaches.
- Headache in children, the elderly and pregnant women.
- Differential diagnoses.
- Social perspectives and social consequences of headache.
- General health implication and prevention of headache disability.


The content of the course has been chosen and structured to develop your understanding of the epidemiology and global burden or headache as well as diagnosis and clinical features of headache disorders. The course will provide you with an introduction to headaches as a collection of complex neurological disorders that impact significantly as a patient and societal burden. Epidemiological studies will be selected for detailed methodological discussions and strengths and limitations.


It will also cover the background for and the organization of the ICHD-3 classification system and its use and applicability in the clinical setting. Headache in children, in the elderly and in relation to hormones and pregnancy will be covered as well as headache in the emergency room as well as the possible differential diagnosis and comorbidities. The complex headache patient will be discussed especially in relation to the variation of secondary headaches.

Learning Outcome

On completion of the course, the participants should be able to:

Knowledge

  • gain insight into the International Classification of Headache Disorders and obtain detailed knowledge about the clinical presentation of several headache types and painful cranial neuropathies.
  • acquire knowledge about the most commonly occurring comorbid conditions associated with headache disorders and certain patient categories.
  • gain insight into headache epidemiology, the consequences of headache disorders on an individual and societal level, as well as initiatives for prevention.

 

Skills:

  • learn to make the optimal headache diagnoses, to use and analyze the relevant differential diagnoses for the individual patient.
  • critically assess and discuss scientific articles about epidemiology and social consequences as well as prevention strategies.

 

Competencies:

  • have the opportunity to optimize the diagnostic process, contribute to future revision of the classification system on a scientific basis, initiate new epidemiological studies and develop relevant prevention strategies. 

See Literature List in Absalon

Applicants must have master’s or bachelor’s degree within Pharmacy, Medicine, Psychology, Public Health, Nursing, Physical Therapy or the equivalent from a university in or outside of Denmark.
Next course: Autumn 2024
7 October – 1 November 2024 (E-learning)
4-8 November 2024 (Campus)

First four weeks is a part-time online course with online lessons, discussions and quizzes and self-study activities. It will be followed by a week of full-time lectures, discussions, group work, and exercises in Copenhagen.
The teaching methods will include a combination of interactive lectures, group exercises, case studies, journal clubs, essay and computer-based (electronic) learning exercises (WIKIs). Using Absalon for learning materials will allow team work for reading, interpreting and discussing selected scientific articles and cases.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 35
  • Preparation
  • 60
  • E-Learning
  • 55
  • Study Groups
  • 15
  • Guidance
  • 5
  • Exam
  • 35
  • Total
  • 205
Oral
Collective
Credit
7.5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 72 hours
Type of assessment details
The student will write a 5 page essay/report based on a given case. The essay/report should illustrate an insight into the relevant epidemiology and burden of the chosen headache disorder, the clinical presentation the diagnostic strategies and the possibilities for prevention. Relevant literature should support the essay illustrated by 5-6 articles whereas a complete literature search is not required.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Exam period

See Exam Plan

Re-exam

A re-examination will be possible if the student fails the first examination.

A new assignment / examination will be provided and in the same format as in the initial examination.

Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the maximum grade of 12, the student must be able to:

Knowledge 

  • Demonstrate in-depth understanding and be fully confident with the International Headache Classification, and the optimal diagnostic process of patients suffering from headache disorders.
  • be fully updated with headache epidemiology, social consequences and plan and preventive strategies
  • be fully updated of the comorbid conditions associated with headache disorders and certain patient categories.


Skills

  • Demonstrate in-depth skills in the optimal headache diagnoses, using and analyzing relevant differential diagnoses for the individual patient.
  • Demonstrate in-depth skills and insight into scientific articles about epidemiology and social consequences as well as prevention strategies.
     

Competencies

  • optimize the diagnostic process, suggest and contribute to future revision of the classification system on a scientific basis, initiate new epidemiological studies and develop new and relevant prevention strategies.