Graduate Medical Learners' Knowledge and Attitudes and Confidence Regarding Pain (SCI940)

• Published in: Journal of pain and symptom management 2021-03, Vol.61 (3), p.690-691
• Main Authors: Ellison, Halle, Davis, Mellar, Mehta, Zankhana, Van Enkevort, Erin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Addictions; Attitudes; Best practice; Clinical outcomes; Confidence; Curricula; Management development programmes; Medical education; Narcotics; Opioids; Pain; Pain management; Physicians; Polls & surveys; Teaching methods
• ISSN: 0885-3924; 1873-6513
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.01.101

Objectives 1. Describe preferred instruction methods for pain curricula in graduate medical education. 2. Explain KA assessment using The Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (KASRP). Background Education in pain management is essential for physicians. Data suggest insufficient attention to pain education at multiple levels of physician training. The purpose of this study is to evaluate graduate medical learners' (GML) knowledge and attitudes (KA) and confidence in pain management. Research Objectives Assess pain management education in graduate medical education. Methods This is a descriptive study of GML in an academic health system, conducted between April-June 2020. A survey was developed to assess KA and confidence in pain management; items included demographics, information about current pain curricula, perspectives about pain education, KA and confidence. KA were assessed by a validated tool, The Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (KASRP) (passing score > 80%). Confidence was self-reported via Likert scale. Results 132/495 (26.6%) GML completed the survey; 59 were in post-graduate years (PGY) 1-2 and 73 were in PGY 3-7. Mean importance of pain education was "important" yet only 39.4% reported any formal education in pain management. Less than 40% reported curricular components of pain assessment, principles of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic management, strategies using opioids, addiction, and treatment guidelines. Mean KASRP scores were 26.9/41(65.6%) for PGY 1-2 and 28.5/41(69.4%) for PGY 3-7; confidence in KASRP was "low" for PGY 1-2 and "neutral" for PGY 3-7 (p=.002). Confidence in abilities was "neutral" for all GML. There was a positive correlation between KASRP score and confidence. There was a significant positive relationship between confidence on KASRP and averaged confidence in abilities for PGY 3-7 (r=.42; p=.001). Conclusion Pain education for GML is inadequate. These findings may guide educators to modify content and teaching methods to meet GML needs and improve patient outcomes. Implications for Research, Policy, or Practice Given the individual and societal impact of undertreatment of pain and overutilization of opioids, existing curricula should be modified for best practice. This study supports development, implementation and ongoing research of pain education curricula for graduate medical learners.