A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Pain Management Guidelines in Terms of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Nursing Personnel Working in Pediatric Units of a Selected Hospital of Delhi

Abstract

Introduction: Pain management in pediatric population is a very important and crucial aspect of nursing care. Though there is improved understanding of the physiological and psychological effects of unrelieved pain in children, still so many research evidences show that pediatric nurses are having inadequate knowledge, unfavorable attitude and poor practices regarding assessment and management of pain in children. A study was conducted with the objectives to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of pain management guidelines in terms of knowledge, attitude and practices of nursing personnel working in pediatric units, determine the relationship between knowledge and attitude and knowledge and practice and seek association of knowledge and practices with selected variables Methodology: A pre-experimental approach and one group pretest-posttest design was selected. The tools were a structured knowledge questionnaire, attitude scale and an observation checklist. Pain management guidelines were developed based on expert opinion and review of literature. Sixty nursing personnel who met the sampling criteria were selected by purposive sampling. On day 1, pretest of knowledge and attitude ware administered and the pain management practices were observed. On the same day, pain management guidelines were given to them with small group discussion. Demonstration of pain assessment and management during painful procedure was given in small groups. On seventh day, posttest of knowledge and attitude was administered. Posttest practices were observed. Results: Findings of the study revealed that the mean posttest knowledge score was significantly higher than the mean pretest knowledge score with a mean difference of 5.18 (P<0.05). The mean posttest attitude score was significantly higher than the mean pretest attitude score with a mean difference of 12.43 (P<0.05). The mean posttest practice score was significantly higher than the mean pretest practice score with a mean difference of 3.1 (P<0.05). There was a significant positive relationship between knowledge and attitude (P<0.05). There was also a significant positive relationship between knowledge and practices (P<0.05). The knowledge and practices of nursing personnel regarding pain management were not associated with years of experience, professional qualification and In-service education on pain management. Conclusion: Knowledge deficit, unfavorable attitude and poor practices existed regarding pain management in children. Pain management guidelines were found to be effective in enhancing the knowledge, changing the attitude and improving the practices of nursing personnel.