Only one-third of the present sample could identify time designated for teaching mandatory pain content. Two-thirds reported 'integrated' content that was not quantifiable or able to be determined, which may suggest it is not a priority at that site. Many expressed a need for pain-related curriculum resources.

While an individual's beliefs and attitudes have long been considered important factors in how people respond to pain, few studies have attempted to provide in-depth descriptions of the nature of such pain beliefs and attitudes. The aim of this research was to investigate the views of pain and pain management practices held by elderly people living in long-term residential care settings. Ten 60-90 minute focus group interviews, each involving around five elderly people, were conducted in four large, long-term residential care settings in Brisbane, Australia. Categories of beliefs and attitudes regarding pain were identified following analysis of the verbatim transcripts of these interviews. Findings suggest that many elderly people living in long-term residential care settings may have become resigned to pain, that they are ambivalent about the benefit of any action for their pain and that they may be reluctant to express their pain. Implications of these beliefs and attitudes are discussed.

The aim of this paper is to describe the prevalence and perceptions of pain and pain management amongst hospital in-patients. A cross-sectional descriptive survey of 205 patients was conducted. Presence and severity of pain was assessed using verbal descriptor and visual analogue scales, and perceptions of pain were assessed using multi-item scales. Although the severity of pain reported was consistent across age groups and clinical areas, women in the study sample were significantly more likely to report high levels of pain than men. Differences in how men and women communicate their pain were observed, with women indicating that they were less willing to ask for help with their pain. Results suggest that pain continues to be an important problem for a large number of men and women in hospital, and that the experience of pain impacts negatively upon their well-being. Gender differences in the experience of and response to pain remain important considerations for clinical nurses who have major responsibilities for the management of pain in hospitalized patients.

A statewide cross-sectional survey was conducted in Australia to identify the determinants of registered nurses' intention to administer opioids to patients with pain. Attitudes, subjective norms and perceived control, the key determinants of the Theory of Planned Behavior, were found to independently predict nurses' intention to administer opioids to these patients. Perceived control was the strongest predictor. Nurses reported positive overall attitudes towards opioids and their use in pain management. However, many negative attitudes were identified; for example, administering the least amount of opioid and encouraging patients to have non-opioids rather than opioids for pain relief. The findings related to specific attitudes and normative pressures provide insight into registered nurses' management of pain for hospitalized patients and the direction for educational interventions to improve registered nurses' administration of opioids for pain management.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to better understand the experiences of people suffering from chronic pain in order to plan client-centred educational interventions.Methods People in the community with chronic pain were invited via newspapers, newsletters and e-mail discussion lists to participate in a needs assessment process and to attend an educational session at a local community college. Using the nominal group technique, which is a qualitative method of data gathering, 53 participants reported their perceived challenges and needs in dealing with chronic pain. Participants were randomly assigned to one of 10 groups ranging from three to seven people. Responses were pooled to develop an overall list of their major concerns and needs.Results Issues were classified into six priority areas: medical and treatments, problems with daily living, emotional distress, social issues, sleep disturbances and financial issues. Participants indicated they had difficulty finding accessible, effective and acceptable care. Many participants perceived their family physician or other healthcare providers were not adequately meeting their health-care needs. Specifically, sleep disorders; feeling of depression, irritability, worry and anxiety were perceived as medical and treatment areas requiring improvement. In addition, participants sought greater validation of their lived experience of chronic pain.Conclusion Participants perceived that their needs were not being met adequately. There is a need for further study on physicianpatient communication and its impact on patient health status and disability.