Changes in pain knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of osteopathy students after completing a clinically focused pain education module

Abstract

BackgroundChronic pain is a substantial burden on the Australian healthcare system with an estimated 19.2% of Australians experiencing chronic pain. Knowledge of the neurophysiology and multidimensional aspects of pain is imperative to ensure health professionals apply a biopsychosocial approach to pain. Questionnaires may be used to assess learner changes in neurophysiology knowledge and beliefs and attitudes towards pain after education interventions.The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in pain neurophysiology knowledge, beliefs and attitudes following a 12 week clinically-focused pain module in year 3 osteopathy students as measured by the Neurophysiology of Pain (NPQ) Questionnaire and Health Care Providers Pain and Impairment Relationship scale (HC-PAIRS).MethodsA pre-post design was utilised. Learners completed a demographic information survey pre-module, and completed the NPQ & HC-PAIRS prior to undertaking, and after completing, a twelve week clinically-focused pain module.ResultsLearners (n = 55) completed the NPQ & HC-PAIRS at both time points. The median NPQ score was significantly increased with a large effect size (p < 0.001, z = − 5.71, r = 0.78) following the completion of the module. In contrast, the HC-PAIRS total score was significantly increased after the completion of the module (p < 0.01, z = − 6.95, r = 0.91) suggesting an increase in negative pain attitudes and beliefs. Results indicate that a clinically-focused pain module can increase pain neurophysiology knowledge. However the HC-PAIRS results suggest an increase in negative pain attitudes and beliefs. The HC-PAIRS questionnaire was developed for use with chronic low back pain attitudes & beliefs in practitioners, rather than pre-clinical students. Students were provided with general principles of pain management, rather than condition specific pain management. This study is the first comparing pain neurophysiology knowledge and changes in attitudes and beliefs towards pain pre-post a clinically-focused pain module using the NPQ & HC-PAIRS.ConclusionsThere was a significant improvement in NPQ score after the 12 week clinically-focused pain module. The HC-PAIRS result was paradoxical and may reflect issues with the module design or the measurement tool. The module duration is longer than that reported in the literature and demonstrates effectiveness in increasing pain neurophysiology knowledge.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12998-018-0212-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effect of Using an Android-Based Module on Knowledge and Attitude of Nursing Students About the Provision of Transcultural Nursing

“…This research was in line with Greenberg (2013) revealed that the printed module could significantly increase students' cultural knowledge seen from changes in the average pretest score to posttest average of 8.6 to 19.94. This result was also in line with Fitzgerald et al (2018) revealed that the clinically focused pain modules could significantly improve students' knowledge about neurophysiology of pain with a p-value < .001.…”

“…The use of more concrete learning media such as direct experience, the message or information provided by educators to students will be conveyed well. (Arsyad, 2016) also states that changes in attitude could occur because of interactions between new and previous experiences. Personal direct experience gives a stronger influence than indirect experience (Wawan & Dewi, 2014).…”

The Mediating Effect of Model-Based Learning on Attitude and Pain Management Awareness Among Nurses During COVID 19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia

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Pain knowledge and fear-avoidance beliefs of French osteopathy students and educators towards chronic low back pain: An osteopathic educational institution-based cross-sectional survey

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