Origins and Previous Experiences from a Gender Perspective on the Perception of Pain in Nursing Students: Study Protocol.

BACKGROUND

The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) conceptualizes pain as a subjective experience, influenced by biopsychosocial factors, strongly related to the person's environment and previous experience. It is necessary to understand painful experiences from birth and their influence on the self-perception of pain later in life. In addition, training competent health professionals to identify and treat pain becomes a priority. The main objective of the protocol is to describe the situations that influence pain perception. These influences are conceived from birth to adulthood, taking into account the gender perspective.

METHODS

This is a two-year exploratory mixed-methods educational intervention design, incorporating cross-sectional assessments at baseline. The research will be carried out in the academic community, including nursing students from two universities. The following will be carried out: (1) practical seminars (groups of 20-25) to increase future healthcare professionals' awareness of pain-inducing procedures and critical thinking; (2) a peer-mentoring session, led by senior students, addressing pain research, its clinical impact, and strategies for improved pain management through theoretical and practical components; (3) supervised sessions, where students will learn and perform vital sign measurements (HR, SpO), algometry, and the Cold Pressor Test (CPT) to assess pain perception, threshold, and tolerance, practicing in pairs; (4) a gender-specific questionnaire to evaluate students' perceptions of pain, fostering reflection on gender differences in pain experiences.

DISCUSSION

The aim is to enhance knowledge about pain in future health professionals to increase their skills in the approach to pain.

CONCLUSIONS

This study aims to promote formal academic contact between higher education students, promoting comprehensive care in the management of pain at different stages of life.