Knowledge and Practice on Pain Management among Nurses Working in Palliative Care Unit

Abstract

Introduction: To provide quality care at the end of life of chronically sick patient’s nurses must have good knowledge and practice about Palliative care because they are the key member of health team who typically has the greatest contact with patient’s problem. When a patient enters the end stage of life threatening disease like Cancer, treatment of pain and other symptoms must be considered to preserve quality of life. Nurse’s expertise is essential in providing physical and emotional care to the patient and family and in organizing the patient’s environment to minimize burden and control of suffering. Nurses provide better care in all health care setting to all groups of peoples according to situation but there is scarce data on the relative field. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to observe association of social characteristics with knowledge and practice of pain management among nurses. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the palliative care units of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), National Institute of Cancer Research Hospital (NICRH), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), and Ahsania Mission Cancer & General Hospital, Dhaka. The study duration was one year, from 1st January to 31st December, 2020. The study was conducted with a total of 112 nurses working at the palliative care Units of the study hospitals. Result: Among the participants, the mean age was 29.79, (±SD 6.075), and majority were from the age group of 21-30 years. 88.4% were female 74.1% were graduates, 47% received training on pain management, 68.8% worked in government hospitals, 74.1% had less than 5 years of working experience. No significant association was observed between knowledge and social characteristics. The practice level of nurses was significantly associated with Age (p=0.03) and Training (p=0.01). Conclusion: The Palliative Care pain management aims to maximize the quality of life of patients suffering from ............