Pain and palliative care: the knowledge of medical students and the graduation gaps

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Currently, the medical course does not provide complete education and handling of pain, and it is also devoid of disciplines addressing thanatology in palliative care. The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge about pain and palliative care of medical students and their perception on how these themes are taught the graduation course. METHODS: We invited to participate in the survey students of the medical school who are concluding the fourth, fifth and sixth year of graduation at the Federal University of Health Science of Porto Alegre. The demographic and characterization data of the sample were collected, and a questionnaire was applied and validated with 19 direct questions about pain and palliative care. RESULTS: Forty-seven students agreed to participate in the study. The vast majority mentioned not receiving enough information during the undergraduate program about the proper handling of patients with pain, and patient care in a terminal situation. CONCLUSION: This study highlights education gaps on pain and palliative care in medical schools. It shows the difficulties of the students have to put the theoretical knowledge into practice, for example, their insecurity in handling pain, especially when it comes to the use of opioids.

研究背景与目标：当前医学课程未针对疼痛相关知识与临床处置提供完整教学体系，且缺乏姑息医学领域内涉及死亡学（thanatology）的相关课程设置。本研究旨在评估医学生对疼痛与姑息治疗的认知水平，以及其对本科阶段该类主题教学开展情况的评价。
研究方法：本研究邀请阿雷格里港联邦卫生科学大学医学院在读四年级、五年级及六年级的医学生参与调查。研究收集了样本的人口统计学与特征信息，并采用经过信效度检验的、包含19道关于疼痛与姑息治疗的直接问题的问卷开展调研。
研究结果：共计47名学生同意参与本研究。绝大多数学生表示，其在本科阶段未获得足够的关于疼痛患者规范处置以及终末期患者照护的相关知识。
研究结论：本研究揭示了医学院校在疼痛与姑息治疗教学方面存在的显著缺口。研究同时显示，学生在将理论知识转化为临床实践时存在诸多障碍，例如他们在处理疼痛问题（尤其是涉及阿片类药物使用时）存在明显的不安与不确定感。