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- Talk
- UK
Assessing an Undergraduate Low Back Pain Teaching Programme: Medical Student Understanding of Deyo's Low Back Pain Myths
Description
The presentation begins with an introduction from Moeez Karim, who discusses a study on an undergraduate teaching program focused on low back pain (LBP) aimed at enhancing medical students' understanding. He highlights the significant impact of LBP on the NHS, both in management and financially. The study incorporates Deyo's Seven Myths of Back Pain, highlighting key areas identified in a literature review regarding the misconceptions amongst medical students and the lay public.
Moeez explains the intervention involved a specific case-based teaching approach, unique to Cardiff University's curriculum, targeting second-year medical students. Students completed surveys before and after a two-week teaching program to measure increases in correct identification of myths related to LBP. The results indicated a significant increase in knowledge regarding 5 out of 7 myths post-teaching.
The presentation notes surprising misconceptions still persisted, especially about myths suggesting inactivity or reliance on surgery. Moeez addresses limitations such as the narrow study group, influenced by COVID-19, and the lack of long-term follow-up on students' retention of knowledge.
Future plans include expanding the study across various medical cohorts and potentially extending it to the junior doctor workforce and primary care providers in Wales. The overarching goal is to address and dispel misconceptions about LBP, contributing to better patient outcomes and a more informed healthcare system. Moeez concludes by acknowledging the importance of ongoing education on misconceptions to alleviate the burden of LBP on healthcare resources.