Multidisciplinary Team’s Knowledge, Attitude and Practice in Pain Management in a Neonatal Unit

Abstract

Objective: to assess multidisciplinary team professionals’ knowledge, attitude and practice regarding pain management in newborns admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Method: this is a quantitative descriptive study of the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice survey type, developed with 37 healthcare professionals in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a university hospital in southern Brazil, which adopts the Kangaroo Method as a basis of care. Results: in the knowledge item, the majority of professionals recognized that pain is present in newborns (94.6%) and there was a unanimous understanding that, when not treated properly, can cause short and long-term consequences (100.0%). In their attitude, they recognize that all professionals are responsible for pain management (100.0%) and that they should prioritize it over invasive procedures (97.3%). In practice, professionals assess pain or use an assessment scale (97.3%) and perform this practice when checking vital signs or performing a physical examination (94.6%). However, there was a lower proportion of professionals who considered analgesia necessary when carrying out daily procedures such as changing diapers, weighing and checking vital signs (48.6%) or who recorded pain assessments (67.6%) or pain management in medical records (56.8%). Conclusion: professionals recognize newborn pain, value management and apply measures to prevent and treat pain in invasive procedures. However, advances are needed in records as well as the incorporation of management into less complex daily procedures.