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Contemporary Pain Neuroscience Knowledge and Attitudes Among Students: A Cross-Sectional Study
Sue E Curfman1, William J Best2, Molly T Williams3
1College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Belmont University, Nashville, TN.
Summary
University students often lack knowledge of pain neuroscience and hold misinformed attitudes toward individuals in pain. Physical Therapy students showed better understanding, highlighting the need for improved pain neuroscience education in healthcare curricula.
Area of Science:
- Health Professions Education
- Pain Science
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Healthcare education frequently lacks sufficient training in contemporary pain neuroscience.
- This deficit leaves future professionals unprepared to manage chronic pain, a complex biopsychosocial issue.
- Understanding student knowledge and attitudes is crucial for developing effective interprofessional pain education.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess and compare knowledge of contemporary pain neuroscience among university students.
- To evaluate attitudes and beliefs toward individuals experiencing pain across different student groups.
- To identify gaps in current healthcare curricula regarding pain education.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional observational study was conducted.
- 284 undergraduate and graduate students from healthcare and non-healthcare programs participated.
- Participants completed the Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire and the Health Care Providers' Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale.
Main Results:
- A significant lack of contemporary pain neuroscience knowledge and misinformed attitudes were prevalent across most student groups.
- Physical Therapy students demonstrated superior knowledge and more informed attitudes compared to other healthcare and non-healthcare students.
- Non-healthcare students showed comparable knowledge to some healthcare students, indicating curriculum deficiencies.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical need for comprehensive, contemporary pain neuroscience education across all healthcare disciplines.
- Universities should integrate Pain Neuroscience Education into curricula.
- The enhanced understanding in Physical Therapy students suggests their potential leadership role in interprofessional pain education.
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