Behavioural Medicine, Session 5

Decoding Pain – Behavioural Indicators Beyond the Obvious

Pain in animals often manifests behaviourally rather than physically, especially in chronic or low-grade conditions. Subtle shifts in posture, reactivity, or interaction patterns may be the only indicators of discomfort, requiring a refined diagnostic lens.

Aims:
• To deepen understanding of pain-related behavioural expressions.
• To improve recognition of non-obvious pain in clinical practice.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Identify atypical behavioural signs of acute and chronic pain.
• Integrate behavioural assessment into pain evaluation protocols.
• Enhance caregiver communication regarding pain recognition and management.