Chronic Pain in General Practice: The Assessment You're Probably Skipping

Chronic pain is complex — and assessing it well is the first step toward effective treatment. In this high-impact session, pain specialist Dr Nick Christelis draws on over 20 years of clinical experience to walk you through the key elements of chronic pain assessment in general practice. You’ll learn how to: • Differentiate between nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic pain • Use modern classification systems (ICD-11) to frame your diagnosis • Apply practical tools like the DN4 and PainDETECT questionnaires • Recognise red, yellow, and orange flags influencing outcomes • Perform focused sensory exams and understand pain mechanisms • Assess the person as well as the pain — including self-efficacy and psychosocial factors This module gives GPs the frameworks, language, and clinical cues to confidently identify pain types and understand when to refer.