The Pain Nurse Practitioner and Pain Nurse's Role and Views on Opioid Management in Australia: A National Questionnaire Survey

Abstract

BackgroundThe demand for access to Australian pain management services is growing. The dual crisis of opioid misuse and chronic pain, means pain nurses and nurse practitioners (NPs) have a unique opportunity to meet clinical demands and advance their scope of practice. AimsTo understand the role of pain nurses and pain NPs across Australia and explore their perceptions of current opioid management. DesignThis cross-sectional study involved pain nurses or pain NPs working in Australia who are a members of a pain interest group, which are subgroups of The Australian Pain Society. MethodsThis cross-sectional study involved pain nurses or pain NPs working in Australia who are a members of a pain interest group, which are subgroups of The Australian Pain Society. Survey respondents were contacted via the eight nursing Pain Interest Groups in Australia. ResultsAcute pain management (92.7%) and chronic pain management (80.5%) were the primary services provided, with pain specialty nurses providing nurse education (100.0%), patient support, clinician education, and policy development. Pain nurses believed there was an over prescription of opioid analgesics in Australia (97.6%), with NPs able to reduce opioid medication doses as part of opioid harm mitigation. ConclusionsPain nurses have a breadth of knowledge and experience highlight they can contribute to opioid management in the future, with the support of policy and organizations.