

Overview
Headaches are among the most common neurological complaints encountered in clinical practice, yet they can range from benign conditions to life-threatening disorders requiring urgent attention. This course is designed to strengthen healthcare professionals’ ability to confidently evaluate and manage patients presenting with headaches, with a strong emphasis on improving clinical outcomes and patient safety.
Through this module, learners will gain a deeper understanding of common headache presentations, particularly migraine, which remains a leading cause of disability worldwide. The course highlights the importance of early recognition of red flags and high-risk features that may represent serious underlying conditions, ensuring timely referral and intervention when needed. By enhancing diagnostic accuracy, clinicians can avoid delays in treatment and reduce the risk of complications.
In addition, the module focuses on optimizing migraine management through evidence-based acute and preventive treatment strategies. It also addresses the challenges of managing refractory cases, equipping learners with practical approaches for escalation and the use of advanced therapies.
This course aims to empower healthcare professionals to deliver more effective, patient-centred care, reduce the burden of headache-related disability, and improve quality of life for patients.
The module aims to:
Lecture 1:
From Red Flags to Referral: A Pain-Centred Approach to Headache Assessment
Speaker:
Dr Kanargahraj
Anaesthesiologist and Pain Management Specialist
Melaka Hospital, Malaysia
Lecture 2:
Optimising Migraine Management: From First-Line Therapy to Advanced Treatment Options
Speaker:
Dr Zhao Yi Jing
Clinical Neurologist
Singapore General Hospital (SGH)
National Neuroscience Institute (NNI)
Singapore
Keywords: headache management, migraine treatment, headache red flags, pain management strategies, migraine prevention
Malaysian Association for the STUDY of PAIN
Perhimpunan Kedokteran Digital Terintegrasi Indonesia (PREDIGTI)
Philippines Neurological Association
Vietnam Healthforce Network (VHN)
Hoan My (VN)
HCMC Association of Family Physician