Background: Pain education remains a critical component of medical
education, especially in the context of the ongoing opioid epidemic. The
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has recognized the imperative
to bolster pain education across the continuum of medical training, starting
from preclinical studies to residency programs.
Objectives: To examine the current state of pain education in US medical
curricula by scanning the existing literature, identifying gaps, and
outlining recommendations for future improvements.
Methodology: A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a review of
existing literature and AAMC reports on the inclusion of pain education in US
medical curricula.
Results: 144 out of 145 medical schools reported including pain education,
with an emphasis on pain management, while 108 offered it in elective
coursework (AAMC 2017). Dedicated efforts were noted by some Universities to
cover opioid pain management specifically throughout all four years of
medical school and into graduate medical education. However, the integration
of pain education in general across the continuum of medical training remains
inconsistent. While pre-clinical education has seen enhancements, clinical
and residency training often lack standardized, comprehensive education on
pain and its management, with gaps in interprofessional education, team-based
approaches to pain management, and management of mismanaged or undermanaged
pain.
Conclusion: The AAMC's initiatives underscore the critical need to
strengthen pain education across all stages of medical training in the United
States. While progress has been made in preclinical education, significant
work remains to ensure comprehensive, standardized, and interprofessional
training in pain management in clinical and residency training. Promoting a
structured pain education that is interwoven throughout the medical
curriculum, emphasizing team-based and patient-centric approaches, should be
a future goal.