Effective teaching modifies medical student attitudes toward pain symptoms

Abstract

Our results confirm the importance of humanistic attitudes in future doctors in addition to the traditional implementation of knowledge and skills. Changes in the medical curriculum can positively influence these attitudes.

Exploring assessment of medical students' competencies in pain medicine—A review

“…One study was published in German. Twenty-two studies (54%) were from North America (United States 44% 9,24,25,34,55,60,71,80,85,92,99,107–110,127,128,132 ; Canada 10% 63,90,114,125 ); 12 (29%) from Europe 3,6,12,46,56,69,73,84,87,94,95,101 ; 3 (7%) from Australia; 18,118,120 and 1 each from Saudi Arabia, 68 Philippines, 76 Thailand, 88 and Taiwan. 50…”

“…82 Most studies (80%) in this review assessed “knows”—straight factual recall of knowledge using MCQs and short answer tests, and “knows how”—the application of knowledge to problem-solving and decision-making using written assignments, oral questioning, and development of management plans. Eight (20%) studies focused on “shows how,” 55,56,73,101,108–110,127 examining integration of learning skills into a successful performance with a standardised patient (SP) or simulated experience. No studies examined students' actual performance in a real-life clinical setting on the wards or in the consulting room.…”

“…Table 3 provides information on the methods used in the studies to assess pain medicine competencies. Thirteen studies (32%) used more than one instrument or method of assessment, with 11 studies using 2 instruments 9,56,60,63,69,71,95,99,101,114,128 and 2 studies using 3 instruments. 18,85…”

“…New instruments were designed in 78% (n = 32) of studies. 6,9,12,24,25,34,46,55,56,60,63,68,71,73,80,85,87,88,90,92,94,95,99,101,109,110,114,118,120,125,127,132…”

“…Multiple choice questions were used to assess knowledge in 17/18 studies (94%). Single best answer format of the MCQ was used in 11 studies 6,9,12,24,68,85,88,90,94,95,101 and 10 studies used the true/false format. 3,12,50,63,68,76,90,118,125,132 Likert rating scales were used to measure pain-related knowledge and attitudes, and the number of response options in the rating scales ranged from 3 to 7.…”