In:
Der Schmerz, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, Vol. 36, No. 6 ( 2022-12), p. 389-397
Abstract:
The field of pain medicine was established as an obligatory subject area of medical schools in Germany in 2016. No prior study has evaluated the effects of this curricular change on students’ competences in the field of pain medicine. Objective The aim of this study was to find out to what extent the introduction of the additional subject “pain medicine” positively influenced the students’ acquisition of competences measured via a self-assessment. Material and methods A longitudinal and interdisciplinary curriculum for pain medicine was developed according to the current recommendations for curriculum development for medical education. In parallel, a questionnaire was created for the students’ self-assessment of their own level of knowledge and the importance of pain medicine teaching content on a 5-stage Likert scale. The surveys were conducted before the implementation of the curriculum (2014), directly after the first cohort finished (2016) and 5 years after the implementation (2019) and compared by Kruskal-Wallis test. Results The implementation of the curriculum has led to significant improvement in relevant aspects. For example, students now feel better prepared overall for the treatment of pain patients (2.67 in 2014 vs. 3.18 in 2019). Individual sub-aspects such as taking a pain history (3.63 vs. 4.10) or drawing up an analgesia scheme (3.56 vs. 4.14) are now also subjectively better mastered. Conclusion Even though the results are encouraging, there is further potential for improvement in some sub-areas. For example, the students’ rating regarding the question about their preparation for treating patients in pain is not yet satisfactory. Therefore, the curriculum should be developed further with a focus on competence orientation. Digital teaching formats can be integrated as well as interprofessional units and simulated patients. Additionally, the examination formats should be further developed towards standardized practical examinations.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0932-433X
,
1432-2129
DOI:
10.1007/s00482-022-00665-7
Language:
German
Publisher:
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1463039-4
