Rural health research from UCRH is helping shape how Australian teenagers could learn about pain in the classroom, with new findings highlighting gaps in understanding and clear preferences for how pain education should be delivered.
UCRH researcher Professor Chris Williams is a co-author on a recently published study titled Adolescents’ understanding of pain and their preferences for learning about pain at school: a cross-sectional survey.
The study explored what adolescents actually know about pain, and how they would prefer to learn about it at school. Pain is common during adolescence and can affect physical health, friendships, mental wellbeing and school participation, yet there are currently no well-resourced public health programs focused on pain education for young people.
Researchers surveyed more than 500 Australian students in Years 7 to 10, asking questions about their understanding of pain and what they would want from pain education at school. On average, students answered only about half of the pain knowledge questions correctly, suggesting many common beliefs about pain do not align with current scientific understanding.
When asked what they wanted to learn, students were most interested in practical and relevant topics, including ways to treat pain, different types of pain, and how the brain and nervous system are involved. Many said they would prefer pain education to be delivered by health professionals, either on their own or alongside teachers.
How the information is delivered also matters. Almost half of participants preferred a mix of online and in-person learning, with short educational videos and class discussions rated as the most engaging options. This blended approach reflects how young people already learn and interact with information in their everyday lives.
The findings highlight an opportunity for schools to play a bigger role in improving health literacy around pain, using evidence-based content that speaks directly to what adolescents want and need. School-based programs that are engaging, practical and grounded in science could help correct misconceptions early and support healthier outcomes into adulthood.
The research aligns with UCRH’s focus on generating new knowledge and innovative solutions for rural health challenges, and contributes to broader conversations about education, prevention and wellbeing for young Australians.
