Enhancing Pain Management in Trauma Patients Through Education of Residents: An Interventional Study

Trauma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Pain is a common complaint associated with trauma, and undertreatment of pain is prevalent in emergency departments around the world. Research on the management of trauma-associated pain and education on its management are lacking in the medical curriculum. However, prior studies have shown that educational techniques can improve the quality of pain management. In our study, we evaluated the impact of education of residents on the pain management practices of patients with trauma in the emergency department.

The study was conducted at a Level 1 trauma center in India. Pain scores and other objective pain management quality indicators were assessed in patients in two distinct time periods. Between these two periods, a series of short lectures regarding pain management was conducted for the residents in charge of handling trauma patients in the emergency department. They were educated on the results of the data collected and encouraged to change their attitude and practice toward pain.

The data of 462 patients were collected during the study period: 229 patients during Period 1 and 233 patients during Period 2. The time between arrival in the emergency department and analgesic administration, pain at disposition, and the total duration of stay were all found to be significantly reduced (p-value < 0.05) in Period 2 compared to Period 1.

The quality of pain management being provided in the emergency department had the potential to be improved. This was made possible with a series of educational lectures. Feedback on quality, if given intermittently, can help bring to notice the current situation and change the practice. Additionally, more educational steps should be conducted that increase the focus on pain throughout other institutions.