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

Débora Dalpai,Florentino Fernandes Mendes,Fernanda Laís Loro,Pauline Lopes Carvalho,Aline Branco,João Antônio Vila Nova Asmar

doi:10.5935/1806-0013.20170120

Débora Dalpai, Florentino Fernandes Mendes + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5935/1806-0013.20170120

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Abstract

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.

Highlights

Care provision by health professionals to patients with pain allows the rational use of the health system and drugs, in addition to humanitarian aspects involved
This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge about pain and palliative care, and the perception about these subjects’ teaching during graduation, by the students at the end of the fourth, fifth and sixth years of the medical course at The Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA)
From the variables obtained in the socioeconomic questionnaire, it was possible to identify the profile of the 47 students who agreed to participate in the research

Summary

Introduction

Care provision by health professionals to patients with pain allows the rational use of the health system and drugs, in addition to humanitarian aspects involved It provides a reduction in disabilities and absenteeism due to pain. The pain presence is associated with a longer hospitalization period[2], and its evaluation is related to the reduction of analgesic use and mechanical ventilation duration[3] It still occurs in professional health institutions that do not have enough capacity to recognize, evaluate and take effective measures to control the pain symptom[4]. 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.

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Conclusion