Healthcare Professional Knowledge on Pain Definition and Management, Pre-test and Post-test Results of Short Courses

Abstract

Objective: Most medical professionals pick up pain management skills on the job and are frequently unprepared to work as a team in the real world. This study aims to assess the knowledge of pain management among allied health professionals and their postgraduation training requirements in pain management. Methods: A prospective survey/scale study was conducted between April 1, 2021, and June 15, 2021. A total of 578 allied health professionals, including nurses, midwives, health officers, and anaesthetic technicians who work in all wards of our university hospital, were enrolled with the ethics committee's approval. Results:Participants were asked about basic pain definitions. Following education, there was a significant increase in the correct assessment of visual analog scale (VAS) (p<0.001) and neuropathic pain definitions (p<0.001). Participants' knowledge of opioid administration routes significantly increased from 44.6% (n=164) in group 1 to 65.7% (n=251) in group 2 (p<0.001). Participants who were aware that meperidine/pethidine would not be used in chronic pain were 14.1% (n=52) in group 1 and 38.5% (n=147) in group 2 (p<0.001). Conclusion:We think that it is difficult to provide appropriate pain management with healthcare professionals who have not received pain training or whose knowledge has not been renewed. However, comprehension and awareness can be improved with post-graduation pain management education.