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Difficult Conversations: Training Medical Students to Assess, Educate, and Treat the Patient with Chronic Pain.
- Source :
-
Academic psychiatry : the journal of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training and the Association for Academic Psychiatry [Acad Psychiatry] 2019 Oct; Vol. 43 (5), pp. 494-498. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Jun 05. - Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- Objective: Chronic pain, along with opioid abuse and misuse, continues to be a prevalent problem across the USA. Medical students have minimal training in biopsychosocial treatment of chronic pain and often lack the knowledge and skill necessary to address chronic pain with their patients. While there are a variety of treatment options available, research repeatedly has demonstrated that biopsychosocial treatment is the most effective option for chronic pain. Engaging patients in this type of treatment requires training and education.<br />Methods: The authors implemented a simulation workshop with standardized patients to educate medical students on the physical, psychological, and social aspects of chronic pain and also train students on the most effective ways to discuss chronic pain and educate their patients. Outcomes were measured by a pre- and post-test survey of knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in treating chronic pain, as well as satisfaction with the learning experience.<br />Results: Test and survey results indicated improvements in knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in treating chronic pain. Additionally, students were satisfied with the experience as evidenced by high post-workshop ratings.<br />Conclusions: Chronic pain training during medical school is associated with students feeling more prepared to provide non-opioid biopsychosocial pain treatment. Additionally, training with standardized patients allows students to learn how to effectively educate their patients, reduce negative confrontations, and maintain a positive physician-patient relationship.
- Subjects :
- Education, Medical, Undergraduate
Educational Measurement statistics & numerical data
Female
Humans
Male
Models, Psychological
Pain Management
Patient Simulation
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States
Chronic Pain diagnosis
Chronic Pain therapy
Communication
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Problem-Based Learning
Students, Medical psychology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1545-7230
- Volume :
- 43
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Academic psychiatry : the journal of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training and the Association for Academic Psychiatry
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 31168741
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-019-01072-4