130 Review of Pain Content in Three Year Pre-Registration Children's Nursing Courses in the Uk

Abstract

Background: The results of several studies suggest that gaps remain in nurses' knowledge about pain in children, and in particular to pain assessment, analgesic drugs and non-drug methods, suggesting a need to explore the pain content of pre-registration nursing curricula. A review of pain content in pre-registration courses in England found that most curricula included less than 10 hours education on pain (Twycross 2000). This concurs with the findings of a study carried in the USA by (Graffam 1990). Since these two studies were undertaken, the way nurse education is delivered has changed with the advent of the internet and use of virtual learning environments. This study will explore the depth and breadth of pain content in three year pre-registration children's nursing courses across the UK and will ascertaining how content is delivered. Method: Higher education institutions running the pre-registration children's nursing course in the UK. Data collection: The questionnaire used by Twycross (2000) was revised to reflect changes in how nursing courses are taught and new knowledge is assessed. Participants were asked to indicate topics covered in the programme, and how this was delivered. Procedure: A copy of the questionnaire was emailed to the lead for children's nursing in each institution. A reminder email was sent out after three weeks. Results: The findings indicate there are wide variation in the pain content of pre-registration nursing curricula in relation to number of hours, content and how the student knowledge