Occupational therapists frequently work with people who have difficulties in their occupational performance due to pain. Very little is known about the educational needs of occupational therapists in preparation for this client population. The objective of this course evaluation was to assess knowledge about pain in fourth year student occupational therapists and the impact of a pain elective on their subsequent learning. Twenty-nine students were given a pain questionnaire on entry to the pain elective and again on completion. On course entry, students scored highest on items addressing the physiological basis of pain with more limited understanding of psychosocial components, lifespan issues, assessment and measurement strategies, cognitive-behavioral applications, and principles of pharmacological management. Substantial change in all areas occurred following participation in this pain elective (t=17.61, df=28, p<0.001), Implications for occupational therapy education are briefly discussed.
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