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

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