Evaluation of a Pain Identification and Treatment Training for Medical Students Based on the "Good Medical Practice" Framework

Authors : Şebnem Rumeli Atici, Gülçin Gazioğlu Türkyilmaz

Pages : 136-140

Doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1216539

View : 23 | Download : 10

Publication Date : 2023-03-17

Article Type : Research

Abstract :Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a pain identification and treatment training program for medical students based on the "good medical practice” framework. Methods: A questionnaire was used to collect data from a total of 732 students who received the 3-day pain identification and treatment training held by the algology department between 2014 and 2021. The questionnaire included 8 questions about the definition of pain, types of pain, assessing pain, treatment methods and analgesic drugs. The students completed the questionnaire in person before training and 3 months after the training. A total of 732 pre-training and 230 post-training questionnaires were included in the analysis. Results: Correct response rates before and after the training, respectively, were 11.3%(n=83) and 77.4%(n=178) for knowing which nerve fibers conduct pain; 22.3%(n=163) and 74.8%(n=172) for knowing what "VAS” stands for; 76%(n=556) 90.4%(n=208) for giving correct examples of chronic pain; 6.3%(n=46) and 63.5%(n=146) for knowing what the World Health Organization’s analgesic ladder is; and 24.8%(n=178) and 87.7%(n=202) for giving correct examples of strong opioid analgesics (p<0.001 for all). Conclusion: It is known that pain is one of the main reasons for presenting to primary health care services. Therefore, we believe it is important for medical students to learn the diagnosis and treatment of pain in programs that use different teaching methods and encourage active participation of the student in order to ensure the permanence of knowledge, increase physician competence and confidence, and prevent the mismanagement of pain.
Keywords : pain, pain management, medical students, training techniques