Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Headache and Facial Pain
This course is a part of
The course will provide you with an introduction to headache 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 will be emphasized.
The course 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 and the possible differential diagnosis and comorbidities. The complex headache patient will be discussed especially in relation to the variation of secondary headaches.
Topics
- Epidemiology and headache classification.
- Clinical presentation, primary headache types and painful cranial neuropathies.
- Secondary headache types including acute headaches.
- Headache in children, the elderly and pregnant women.
- Differential diagnoses and societal perspectives and social consequences of headache.
- General health implication and prevention of headache disability.
5 weeks of blended learning
The first 4 weeks is a part-time online course with online lessons, discussions and quizzes and self-study activities.
The fifth week is full-time, on campus lectures, discussions, group work, and exercises at University of Copenhagen, in Copenhagen, Denmark.
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 the KU Canvass platform or similar for upload of learning materials will allow team work for reading, interpreting and discussing selected scientific articles and cases.
For more details about the course, please refer to the course curriculum.
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The programme is perfect for me because it helps me upgrade both the clinical part of my work, diagnostics and the therapeutic part.
Course director on »Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Headache and Facial Pain«
Rigmor Højland JensenProfessor, MD, Dr.Med Sci. and Head of Studies |
Course details for »Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Headache and Facial Pain«
Dates and examination
Course dates
The dates for the next course in autumn 2026 are:
- October 5-30, 2026 (E-learning)
- November 2-6, 2026 (Campus)
The course is available every second year.
Examination
Please find the exam dates in the exam plan.
Learning outcomes
On completion of the course, you will be able to:
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understand the International Classification of Headache Disorders and the clinical presentation of various headache types
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identify and address comorbid conditions and specific patient categories related to headache disorders
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explore headache epidemiology, societal impacts, and strategies for prevention
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perform accurate headache diagnoses and analyze relevant differential diagnoses
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critically evaluate research to improve classification systems, initiate studies, and develop prevention strategies.
Admission criteria
You must meet the following criteria to be admitted to this course:
- Hold a relevant bachelor degree or equivalent.
- Have a minimum 2 years of relevant job experience.
- Be proficient in English.
Find detailed information in the admission criteria on Master of Headache Disorders
Priority is given to enrolled students
This course is offered as a compulsory course on the Master of Headache Disorders programme. Priority is given to students already enrolled. Once the enrolled students have been admitted to the course, the remaining seats are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tuition fees
EU/EEA citizens
10,000 DKK
Non-EU/EEA citizens
15,100 DKK
Citizens of the EU, EEA or Switzerland are entitled to a subsidised tuition fee, due to EU legislation.
More information
All course information is available in the course curriculum:Danish Headache Center
Rigshospitalet - Glostrup
Entrance 1A
Valdemar Hansens Vej 5
2600 Glostrup
Rigmor Højland Jensen
Professor, MD, Dr.Med Sci. and Head of Studies
Medical Degree from University of Copenhagen 1981. Neurological residency at University Hospitals in Copenhagen. Fellowship at The Headache Clinic in Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen under supervision of Professor Jes Olesen, and received a medical doctoral degree from University of Copenhagen in 1999.
Rigmor has been associated professor and lecturer at The University of Copenhagen since 1997 and was appointed as professor in Headache and Neurological Pain in 2007. Has conducted or been involved in numerous epidemiological, clinical, and neurophysiological studies of migraine, tension-type and cluster headache since 1988. Rigmor has published more than 250 scientific papers in refereed journals and more than 50 text books chapters and had been the supervisor of 3 doctoral theses and 12 PhD theses.
Co-founder of the Danish Headache Center, a multidisciplinary academic headache center, at Rigshospitalet-Glostrup, which was awarded as Global Excellence in Health in 2010 and 2014.
Has been working extensively with national and international organisation of headache care, pre- and postgraduate education in headache since 1988, is past president of EHF, and now board member and co-chair of IHS educational committee.