A Survey to Determine the Level of Knowledge on Chronic Pain and its Management amongst Fifth year Medical students at the University of Stellenbosch

Date
2016-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
Background. Poorly controlled and undertreated chronic pain is a global phenomenon, with a significant negative impact on patients’ health and quality of life, and results in increased healthcare utilization.[1] Lack of knowledge on pain management amongst primary health care physicians is recognized as one of the key barriers to effective pain treatment[2]. Evidence suggests that pain education in undergraduate medical curricula is inadequate preparation for professional practice.[3] Objective. We aimed to determine the level of knowledge on chronic pain, and the management thereof, amongst fifth year medical students at the medical school of the University of Stellenbosch. Methods. A group survey, by means of a questionnaire, was conducted amongst fifth year medical students attending an academic lecture. Results. There were 154 participants out of a class of 203 students (response rate of 75.86%). The mean overall score for the questionnaire was 40.48%, with 74.03% of participants scoring less than 50%, which is the required mark set by the University of Stellenbosch to pass the final year of undergraduate medical training.[4] Conclusion. Knowledge on chronic pain, and the management thereof, amongst fifth year medical students at the University of Stellenbosch is deficient. This suggests that these students are poorly equipped to manage patients with chronic pain in the primary health care setting. We propose that the current undergraduate medical curriculum be changed to incorporate a comprehensive chronic pain management course. A follow up study can be done to evaluate if the proposed course does indeed improve the students’ knowledge
Agtergrond Swak gekontroleerde en onvoldoende behandelde chroniese pyn is ‘n globale probleem met ernstige negatiewe implikasies vir pasiënt gesondheid, lewenskwaliteit en lei tot 'n toename in gesondheidsorg verbruik. Die gebrek aan die nodige kundigheid van primêre gesondheidsorg geneeshere in die hantering van pasiënte met chroniese pyn word erken as een van die sleutel oorsake van hierdie probleem en daar is beduidende bewys dat die voorgraadse onderrig van mediese studente hul nie voldoende voorberei om hierdie pasiënte in die praktyk te behandel nie. Doelwitte Ons doelwit was om die kennis van vyfde jaar mediese studente aan die Mediese Skool van die Universiteit van Stellenbosh rakende chroniese pyn en die hantering daarvan, te evalueer. Metodiek ‘n Opname, deur middel van ‘n vraelys is voorgelê aan die vyfde jaar klas van voorgraadse mediese studente. Resultate 154 (75.86%) studente uit ‘n totale klasgroep van 203 kandidate het die vraelys voltooi. Die gemiddelde punt was 40.48%, met ‘n totaal van 74.86% kandidate wat minder as 50% gemiddeld behaal het. Slotsom Die opname het getoon dat daar wel gebrekkige kennis van chroniese pyn en die hantering daarvan onder senior studente aan die Mediese Skool van die Universitiet van Stellenbosch is. Dit suggereer dat hierdie groep studente nie oor die nodige kennis en vaardighede beskik om pasiënte met chroniese pyn in die primêre gesondheidsorg sektor te hanteer nie. Ons voorstel is dus dat ‘n omvattende module oor chroniese pyn ingesluit word in die huidige voorgraadse curriculum. ‘n Opvolg studie kan gedoen word om die verbetering van die studente se kennis na hierdie voorgestelde kursus te evalueer.
Description
Thesis (MMed)--Stellenbosch University, 2016.
Keywords
Chronic pain -- Treatment, Primary health care, Education, Medical, UCTD, Pain management -- Physicians
Citation