A Scoping Review of Pain Management Education Programs (PMEPs): Do They Prepare Nurses to Deal with Patients’ Postoperative Pain?

Abstract

This is a report of a scoping review undertaken to obtain an overview of studies conducted on pain management education programs (PMEPs). The aim of this review was to describe existing research publications relating to PMEP to map how pain management practice training might directly influence surgical nurses in contributing to successful pain outcomes in patients. The initial search of electronic databases identified 40 articles according to the inclusion criteria and search strategy, which applied the following terms: (“Pain management education program”) AND ∗ OR ∗ (“Nurses”) AND ∗ OR ∗ (“Patient outcomes”) AND ∗ (“Mixed methods”). Titles, abstracts, and keywords were also searched for the term “Nurse education.” After applying exclusion criteria, five relevant peer-reviewed articles were eventually selected for the final charting of the data. The search included articles published between January 2015 and March 2019. The results show that PMEPs employ a variety of computer-based simulation, web-based facilitation, and video materials based on an evidence-based approach in their syllabuses. PMEPs were shown to enhance practice by promoting improved skills in critical thinking, leadership, patient management, and health promotion. Additionally, these programs promote an ability to practice across a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings, wherein nurses’ engagement in managing patients’ pain increased after completing the PMEP. Research within PMEP indicates that these programs may contribute to promoting opportunities for new collaborations within multidisciplinary team projects. Additionally, further research initiatives are needed to explore various aspects of these programs to enhance the nursing skills required for effective pain management, such as computer-based simulation, web-based facilitation, and video materials. Moreover, research relating to PMEPs in low- and middle-income countries is scarce and warrants further study.

Surgical Nurses’ Perceptions of Strategies to Enhance Pain Management Proficiency: A Qualitative Study

“…Our results demonstrate the complexity of implementing nursing strategies to improve nurses’ pain management skills. Nurses taking care of patients with pain recognised that this was part of their professional role, as mentioned in previous studies [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 12 ]. Nurses reported partnering with a ‘multidisciplinary team’ for problem-solving while caring for patients in recovery surgery.…”

“…Samarkandi [ 4 ], and Jaleta, Tuji, and Wake [ 5 ] have focused on pain management related to ineffective nursing strategies. Inefficiencies exist in multidisciplinary collaborations, the development of innovative knowledge and training by healthcare teams, and the recognition of individual differences in the delivery of pain management services [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

“…These include exercise, stress relief and other complementary therapies. Nurses can provide training and resources for patients to promote these self-care activities and empower them to manage pain [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”

Core components of an effective pain management education programme for surgical nurses: A Delphi study*

“…A literature review (Chatchumni, Eriksson, & Mazaheri, 2020 ) showed that PMEP utilizes diverse methods, including computer-based simulation, web-based facilitation, and video materials for educating nursing students. These methods improve nurses’ competence by enhancing their critical thinking, leadership, patient management, and health-promotion skills.…”

“…These methods improve nurses’ competence by enhancing their critical thinking, leadership, patient management, and health-promotion skills. The literature review suggested that PMEPs can help promote new opportunities for collaboration in multidisciplinary team projects (Chatchumni, Eriksson, & Mazaheri, 2020 ).…”