Avaliação do conhecimento dos estudantes de medicina sobre a abordagem diagnóstica e terapêutica precoces das cefaleias primárias e secundárias

Abstract

Headaches represent one of the main neurological conditions in emergency care, making it imperative for future physicians to have the competence for their effective management. This study's primary objective was to assess the knowledge level of medical students at the Federal University of Sergipe – Lagarto Campus regarding the early diagnostic and therapeutic approach to primary and secondary headaches. The method used was a quantitative and descriptive study. The research involved applying a 30-item structured online questionnaire, previously tested in a pilot group with students and specialists. The sample comprised 116 medical students from the basic, clinical, and internship cycles. Performance was analyzed using descriptive statistics, with results indicating a statistically significant progression of knowledge with advancement in the course, as evidenced by the Kruskal-Wallis test (H=54.98, p<0.001). The Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner post-hoc test confirmed that the overall score was significantly different among all three groups (Basic vs. Clinical p<0.001; Basic vs. Internship p<0.001; and Clinical vs. Internship p=0.023). Additionally, the instrument's psychometric quality was rigorously assessed using Item Response Theory (IRT) with the Rasch Model. Although the mastery of basic and emergency topics, such as acute treatment and evident warning signs, is consolidated, the item analysis revealed critical gaps. The diagnostic criteria for chronic migraine, the prophylactic management of primary headaches, and the interpretation of warning signs in more complex scenarios were shown to be deficient aspects in the studied population. The findings directly signal weaknesses in training, contextualized in the discussion as part of a global curricular gap, suggesting the need for programmatic reinforcement in teaching specific clinical guidelines. Such intervention is crucial to prepare future professionals to deal with the complexity of headaches, promoting greater diagnostic accuracy and enhancing patient safety and quality of life.