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

[摘要] 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 painmanagement amongst primary health care physicians is recognized as one of the key barriers to effective pain treatment[2]. Evidence suggests that pain education inundergraduate medical curricula is inadequate preparation for professional practice.[3]Objective. We aimed to determine the level of knowledge on chronic pain, and themanagement 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% ofparticipants 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 thatthese 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

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University