Impact of applying brief educational program on nurses knowledge, attitude, and practices toward pain management

Abstract

Background: The role of pain education is well established in improving knowledge and attitude towards the adherence to pain assessment and management. Methods: A brief pain education program was delivered to assess nurses' knowledge and attitude towards pain assessment and management. The "KASRP" scale was used at three phases; pre, post, and three months' follow-up phases. Subsequent eight months observation on using pain assessment sheets was also performed. Results: One hundred and four nurses were assessed at the beginning, followed by 92 at the immediate post-test, and 70 at the follow-up. Although nurses scored lowest in having knowledge and attitudes prior to the program, a significant improvement was evident after delivering pain education. In addition, nurses' competency in pain assessment was maintained over the three months of assessment. Younger nurses with shorter clinical experience were found more reactive to the program than older nurses. Conclusions: A brief nurse-driven pain education has improved nurses' knowledge and attitude towards pain management.

Improving Pain Management Knowledge Among Nurses

“…According to Abozeid, Al-Kalaldeh, and Al-Tarawneh, nurses have the responsibility to apply relevant assessment strategies and interventions [11]. Unfortunately, effective pain management is hindered by lacking knowledge, among nurses, related to the proper utilization of opioid analgesic drugs [11].…”

“…According to Abozeid, Al-Kalaldeh, and Al-Tarawneh, nurses have the responsibility to apply relevant assessment strategies and interventions [11]. Unfortunately, effective pain management is hindered by lacking knowledge, among nurses, related to the proper utilization of opioid analgesic drugs [11]. Similarly, a study conducted by Lin, Reid, Chused, and Evans noted that acute pain in hospitalized patients is not only common but also poorly treated, thereby attributing to co-morbidities and polypharmacy [12].…”

“…In a systematic review, Georgiou, Hadjibalassi, Lambrinou, Andreou, and Papathanassoglou noted that interventions such as having valid pain assessment tools do have an impact on nurses' practice as evidenced by improved pain assessment documentation [20]. Evidence-based practice demonstrated that there is a need for nurses to document patients' response to pain and factors that trigger and alleviate the intensity of pain [11].…”

“…According to Abozeid, Al-Kalaldeh, and Al-Tarawneh, pain education programs can be used to improve pain management [11]. Training programs should integrate group discussions and formal lectures regarding methods for pain assessment and management.…”

“…Abozeid, Al-Kalaldeh, and Al-Tarawneh alleged that training practitioners and medical personnel should use available guidelines and recommendations when creating pain related education programs for nurses. Additionally, guidelines should be provided for nurses when caring for patients who have acute pain concerns [11]. Primarily, the proper management of opioid prescriptions, when treating those who have severe pain, should be reinforced.…”