Pain Assessment and Management in Health Care: Nurses' Perspectives

Abstract

Background: chronic and acute pain are extremely common, particularly among hospitalizes surgical patients, cancer patients, and general medical inpatients. More than half of patients report significant pain. The knowledge and attitude of health professionals toward pain management have frequently been described as inadequate. The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudes and knowledge of nurses working in health care regarding pain management. Methods: The Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Pain Survey was used in a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional design to examine nurses' perception (knowledge and attitude) about pain. We focused on the nursing field to assess nurses' perceptions of pain management. This study included a convenience sample of 200 nurses from hospitals. Results: Participants who scored 75% were thought to have poor knowledge and an abnormal attitude. Participants with a score of more than 75% were deemed to have adequate knowledge and a positive attitude. According to the findings of the study, the knowledge and attitude percentage means of correct answers about pain management were 61% (SD: 11.97%; 95% CI 59.33-62.6%). Inadequate knowledge and attitude were present in 89.5% of all participants, while adequate knowledge and attitude were present in 10.5%. Previous experience with pain management education was statistically significant (p 0.05). Conclusion and Recommendation: According to the findings of this study, nurses have insufficient knowledge and attitudes toward pain management. Younger nurses had a more positive attitude toward pain management than older nurses. Pain management education influences both knowledge and attitude. There is a need for innovative training approaches. Pain management education is an important part of the nursing orientation program and should be offered all year to all nurses. The NKASRP should be used as a baseline and follow-up measure to explore and test new evidence-based approaches to pain management among nurses.