(935): Missouri pain initiative’s SURE project: A survey of pain education availability and needs statewide

Abstract

The Missouri Pain Initiative randomly surveyed 2000 physicians, pharmacists, nurses, physical and occupational therapists and psychologists/social workers regarding practice location, practice type, and patient mix. Pain experience, recent continuing educational pain programs, and preferred venues for education were assessed. Providers’ comfort level in managing chronic pain patients, and their perception of patient satisfaction with their management were assessed. Of 361 respondents(18.1% response rate), 50.1% were physicians, 29.4% nurses, 4.2% pharmacists and 11.9%therapists. The majority of providers had 5 to 20 plus years experience in managing pain patients. However,56.8% had not participated in a pain educational program in the prior year; almost half of respondents indicated it was unlikely they would engage in pain management education in the following year. Three quarters of respondents were from rural and non-metropolitan regions within Missouri. Current sources of pain education were professional journals and professional conferences (31% each), or local lectures or grand rounds (25% each). The most frequently suggested educational topics included management of chronic low back pain, neuropathic and post-operative pain. Additional suggested topics were drug abuse and diversion in the pain population. Among respondents, 49.5% disagreed or strongly disagreed with mandatory pain-related continuing medical education requirements, a controversial proposal in numerous states. Preferred venues for pain education were local lectures or grand rounds, followed by web-based or electronically based sources. The majority (81.4%) of providers felt able to manage pain adequately to extremely well; yet 58% of providers recognized that patient satisfaction with their care was probably adequate to poor. Delivering quality pain care requires an ongoing commitment to continued education. These data demonstrate a continuous need for pain management educational programming or electronic materials across a wide range of health care professions. The Missouri Pain Initiative randomly surveyed 2000 physicians, pharmacists, nurses, physical and occupational therapists and psychologists/social workers regarding practice location, practice type, and patient mix. Pain experience, recent continuing educational pain programs, and preferred venues for education were assessed. Providers’ comfort level in managing chronic pain patients, and their perception of patient satisfaction with their management were assessed. Of 361 respondents(18.1% response rate), 50.1% were physicians, 29.4% nurses, 4.2% pharmacists and 11.9%therapists. The majority of providers had 5 to 20 plus years experience in managing pain patients. However,56.8% had not participated in a pain educational program in the prior year; almost half of respondents indicated it was unlikely they would engage in pain management education in the following year. Three quarters of respondents were from rural and non-metropolitan regions within Missouri. Current sources of pain education were professional journals and professional conferences (31% each), or local lectures or grand rounds (25% each). The most frequently suggested educational topics included management of chronic low back pain, neuropathic and post-operative pain. Additional suggested topics were drug abuse and diversion in the pain population. Among respondents, 49.5% disagreed or strongly disagreed with mandatory pain-related continuing medical education requirements, a controversial proposal in numerous states. Preferred venues for pain education were local lectures or grand rounds, followed by web-based or electronically based sources. The majority (81.4%) of providers felt able to manage pain adequately to extremely well; yet 58% of providers recognized that patient satisfaction with their care was probably adequate to poor. Delivering quality pain care requires an ongoing commitment to continued education. These data demonstrate a continuous need for pain management educational programming or electronic materials across a wide range of health care professions.