Advancing Pain Education: A Cross-sectional Study in the Portuguese Medical Schools

Abstract

Background: Chronic pain negatively impacts on quality of life and is often underreported and undertreated. Therefore, it is essential for medical schools to foster education in pain management. This study evaluated the current state of pain education in the Portuguese medical schools, focusing on integrating pain-related topics into the curriculum. Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed, involving all the public Portuguese Medical Schools. The study, approved by the local ethics committee, utilized a questionnaire sent via electronic mail. The data collection spanned from January 2023 to October 2023, and responses were analysed using the SPSS software for descriptive statistics. Results: All eight medical schools responded to the questionnaire, providing insights into their pain education practices. Over the six years of medical education, 50% of the schools offered dedicated pre-graduate pain disciplines. These are primarily provided in the second year, with variations in the hours for both theoretical and practical teaching. Additionally, 62.5% integrate pain-related topics into other disciplines, predominantly in the fourth year. Post-graduate pain activities were reported only in 37.5% of the schools. Conclusions: These findings represent the first analysis of pain education in all the Portuguese Medical Schools. Enhancements in pain education through the introduction of mandatory pain disciplines, curriculum integration, and investment in post-graduation courses may be valuable. These improvements aim to provide medical students the essential knowledge and skills to proficiently manage the intricate challenges of pain management, thereby enhancing patients' quality of life and reducing social burdens.