Attitudes of healthcare professionals regarding the assessment and treatment of neonatal pain

Abstract

Objectives: To describe and analyze the attitudes of health professionals in relation to the evaluation and treatment of pain in newborns undergoing painful procedures in neonatal units. Methods: This descriptive, exploratory, quantitative study was performed in a maternity hospital in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Participants were 42 nursing assistants/technicians, 22 nurses, 20 physicians and 02 physical therapists. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire covering the profile of the health professionals and their attitudes in the assessment and treatment of pain. Results: It was found that the professionals mentioned assessing NB pain through behavioral parameters, however, did not use scales and did not perform this evaluation resumen Objetivos: Describir y analizar las actitudes de los profesionales de salud con relación a la evaluación y el tratamiento del dolor en recién nacidos sometidos a procedimientos dolorosos en una unidad neonatal. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, exploratorio, con análisis cuantitativo, realizado en una maternidad en la ciudad de Rio de Janeiro. Participaron 42 auxiliares/técnicos de enfermería, 22 enfermeras, 20 médicos y dos fisioterapeutas. Los datos se recogieron mediante un cuestionario autoaplicable referente al perfil de los profesionales de salud y las actitudes en la evaluación y tratamiento del dolor. Resultados: La evaluación del dolor RN se hace por parámetros de comportamiento, pero sin escalas o evaluación sistemática. La mayoría de los profesionales utiliza medidas no farmacológicas para aliviar el dolor. Conclusión: Hay diferencia entre lo prescrito y lo administrado, evidenciando una laguna entre la práctica y el conocimiento existente. Las actitudes necesitan ser cambiadas y manipuladas para una mejor evidencia disponible.

Perceptions of nursing professionals front the pain of newborns in a neonatal intensive therapy unit

“…In a study by Christoffel et al (2017), with the objective of describing and analyzing the attitudes of health professionals regarding the evaluation and treatment of pain in the newborns submitted to painful procedures in the neonatal unit, the authors showed that most of the sample studied prefer to use the facilitated tucking position prior to the procedure.For these authors, the facilitated tucking technique helps the self-regulation of the newborn during painful and stressful procedures, with the principle of maintaining a comfortable position. It is known that interventions of a non-pharmacological nature, which include changing the baby's position, nesting it, facilitated tucking, maintaining the flexed position and simply holding it, help managing and self-regulation of these newborns when acute pain makes itself present.…”

“…It is known that interventions of a non-pharmacological nature, which include changing the baby's position, nesting it, facilitated tucking, maintaining the flexed position and simply holding it, help managing and self-regulation of these newborns when acute pain makes itself present. However, wrapping up itself is not effective to reduce pain from moderate to severe pain procedures (Christoffel et al, 2017).…”

“…In this sense, the applicability of methods that support this evaluation is necessary during the assistance given to such clientele. It is worth noting that health professionals are considered as 'more experienced' because they are better prepared to identify expressions that indicate painful sensation in newborns (Matsuda, Martins, Neto Filho, & Matta, 2014;Christoffel et al, 2017).…”

Painful and stressful procedures and analgesia in newborns from the viewpoint of professionals

“…Some strategies are used for pain relief, but without standardization or systematization of the actions. In a Brazilian study, the absence of protocols and guidelines that use validated scales and pharmacological and nonpharmacological measures for a systematized neonatal pain relief based on evidences for pain assessment was also observed (4) .…”

“…Studies show gaps between the health professionals' knowledge and practice for the management of pain in newborns and, in general, the use of analgesic measures is poor or insufficient (4) .…”