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Onyeka TC, Iloanusi N, Namisango E, Onu JU, Okunade KS, Mohammed AD, Gadanya MA, Nagoma AU, Ojiakor S, Ilo C, Okuzu O, Oduche C, Ugwu N, Allsop MJ. Project OPUS: Development and evaluation of an electronic platform for pain management education of medical undergraduates in resource-limited settings. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243573. [PMID: 33301477 PMCID: PMC7728241 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pain is a very frequent symptom that is reported by patients when they present to health professionals but remains undertreated or untreated, particularly in low-resource settings including Nigeria. Lack of training in pain management remains the most significant obstacle to pain treatment alongside an inadequate emphasis on pain education in undergraduate medical curricula, negatively impacting on subsequent care of patients. This study aimed to determine the effect of a 12-week structured e-Learning course on the knowledge of pain management among Nigerian undergraduate medical students. METHODS Prospective, multisite, pre-post study conducted across five medical colleges in Nigeria. Structured modules covering aspects of pain management were delivered on an e-Learning platform. Pre- and post-test self-assessments were carried out in the 12-week duration of the study. User experience questionnaires and qualitative interviews were conducted via instant messaging to evaluate user experiences of the platform. User experience data was analysed using the UEQ Data Analysis Tool and Framework Analysis. RESULTS A total of 216 of 659 eligible students completed all sections of the e-Learning course. Participant mean age was 23.52 years, with a slight female predominance (55.3%). Across all participants, an increase in median pre- and post-test scores occurred, from 40 to 60 (Z = 11.3, p<0.001, effect size = 1.3), suggestive of increased knowledge acquisition relating to pain management. Participants suggested e-Learning is a valuable approach to delivering pain education alongside identifying factors to address in future iterations. CONCLUSION e-Learning approaches to pain management education can enhance traditional learning methods and may increase students' knowledge. Future iterations of e-Learning approaches will need to consider facilitating the download of data and content for the platform to increase user uptake and engagement. The platform was piloted as an optional adjunct to existing curricula. Future efforts to advocate and support integration of e-Learning for pain education should be two-fold; both to include pain education in the curricula of medical colleges across Nigeria and the use of e-Learning approaches to enhance teaching where feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tonia C. Onyeka
- Department of Anaesthesia/Pain & Palliative Care Unit, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Ituku-Ozalla Campus, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria
- EPAC Research Team, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Ituku-Ozalla Campus, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Nneka Iloanusi
- EPAC Research Team, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Ituku-Ozalla Campus, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria
- Department of Radiation Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Ituku-Ozalla Campus, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Eve Namisango
- African Palliative Care Association, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Justus U. Onu
- EPAC Research Team, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Ituku-Ozalla Campus, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria
- Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
| | - Kehinde S. Okunade
- Oncology and Pathological Studies (OPS) Unit, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos/ Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
| | - Alhassan Datti Mohammed
- Department of Anaesthesia, College of Health Sciences, Bayero University/Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria
| | - Muktar A. Gadanya
- Department of Community Medicine, Bayero University/Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria
| | - Abubakar U. Nagoma
- Department of Anaesthesia, College of Health Sciences, Bayero University/Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria
| | - Samuel Ojiakor
- Department of Anaesthesia, College of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
| | - Chukwudi Ilo
- College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Okey Okuzu
- InStrat Global Health Solutions, Abuja, Nigeria
| | | | - Ngozi Ugwu
- Department of Haematology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Matthew J. Allsop
- Academic Unit of Palliative Care, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
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