Knowledge and attitudes toward pediatric pain management among final-year medical students in Italy: a multicenter observational study

Abstract

Pain management in pediatric patients is a critical aspect of healthcare, yet there is limited research on the knowledge and approaches of medical students regarding this topic. This study investigates the approach to pediatric pain management among final-year medical students. A cross-sectional survey was administered to final-year medical students from six universities located in Northern, Central, and Southern Italy between May and July 2024. The questionnaire (16 items) assessed the students' knowledge and attitudes toward acute pain management in pediatric patients. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. A total of 321 students completed the survey. The majority (49%) of students reported limited training (< 1 h) in pediatric pain management during their studies. Only 42% of respondents believed that neonates feel pain more intensively than adults, while 38% thought the same for children up to 3 years. old While 81% recognized that pediatric pain can be measured with age-specific tools, 60% would avoid using opioids for severe pain in children. Seventy-five percent of students reported routinely using analgesia before painful procedures, but 33% would not treat abdominal pain before surgical evaluation in a suspected appendicitis case. Conclusion: There are relevant gaps in the education of medical students on pediatric pain management in Italy. Traditional old views on pain are widespread among final-year medical students. Targeted educational interventions are needed to address these issues and ensure that future healthcare providers are adequately prepared to manage pediatric pain. What is Known • Pediatric pain is often undertreated due to misconceptions among healthcare providers about their pain perception and the long-term consequences of untreated pain. • Studies investigating knowledge and attitudes toward pediatric pain management have primarily focused on physicians or nurses, with limited evidence on medical students' preparation in this area. What is New • This study reveals significant gaps in knowledge and outdated attitudes toward pediatric pain management among final-year medical students in Italy • Barriers to the use of opioids for severe pain management in children are already widespread among medical students.

Keywords: Barriers; Management; Pain; Students; Training; Treatment.

Fig. 1

Answers to the two clinical scenarios. In the upper panel, the histograms report the percentages of answers to the question “How would you manage abdominal pain in a 5-year-old child presenting in your clinic, whom you want to refer to the emergency department for suspected acute appendicitis?” In the lower panel, the histograms report the percentages of answers to the question “If a 6-year-old child with a fractured finger arrives at the emergency department, would you use non-pharmacological techniques, such as distraction or relaxation, to help reduce pain?”