Abstract
BackgroundNursing staff training in using observational pain assessment tools is highly important to improve the assessment of pain. The present study was conducted to examine the effect of two different training methods (lectures vs. a social networking app) on the diagnosis and management of pain in mechanically-ventilated patients.MethodsThis quasi-experimental study was conducted on 70 nurses working in two Intensive Care Units (ICU) in Mashhad, Iran. The nurses were trained in the application of observational pain assessment tools by lectures or through a social networking app. Before and after the intervention, the nurses’ performance was evaluated in both groups using a checklist based on Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT).ResultsIn the pre-intervention phase, the nurses’ performance scores in the domains of pain diagnosis and pain management were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). Following the intervention, the mean score of pain diagnosis was 82 ± 19 in the lecture group and 97 ± 8 in the social networking app group (P < 0.01), and the mean pain management scores were 30 ± 17 and 90 ± 18 (P < 0.01), respectively.ConclusionThis study showed that learning through a social networking app led to improved diagnosis and management of pain in mechanically-ventilated patients when compared with lectures. Training through social networking applications can therefore be considered as a feasible instructional method for developing nurses’ pain management skills.
Highlights
Nursing staff training in using observational pain assessment tools is highly important to improve the assessment of pain
Despite the advances in theories associated with pain control [8,9,10], pain is still a major problem in critically-ill patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs), as 64% of Intensive Care Units (ICU) patients complain about pain during their ICU admission [11]
Study type and sample size This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 70 nurses working in two ICUs of Imam Reza and Ghaem hospitals affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in 2018
Summary
Nursing staff training in using observational pain assessment tools is highly important to improve the assessment of pain. Pain is a common phenomenon and a major stressor in intubated patients [1,2,3]. ICU nurses are the largest professional group delivering services in ICUs. Critically-ill patients and their families benefit from the attention of highly trained and skilled personnel. Competence is a multidimensional concept in intensive and critical care nursing and pain assessment and management are fundamental components of clinical nursing practice [12]. The failure to properly assess the pain experienced by critically-ill patients with lower levels of consciousness causes poor pain management [13]
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