Influencing Nurses’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice in Cancer Pain Management

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of an education intervention on nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practice in pain assessment and management over 3 months. The education intervention program was designed to change knowledge and influence the attitudes of registered nurses through a values clarification process using a conceptual framework based on a theory of reeducation. Participants in this descriptive, exploratory study were 53 nurses from six oncology units. Data were collected on their knowledge, attitudes, documentation practices, and analgesic choices in defined patient situations. The intervention was effective in changing the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of nurses in the study, but the effect was not maintained over time. Study findings suggest that further educational and organizational support is needed for effective practice in pain assessment and management. Further research should explore education programs that will maintain new knowledge over time. In addition, assessment of the effect that new knowledge has on the achievement of improved pain relief for patients should be explored in the future.

Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes towards Pain Management in Children Admitted in the Paediatric Department of Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi

“…In addition, the training period ranged from two hours to three day sessions which meant presenters had little time to present pertinent issues regarding pain which could also have affected participants' understanding. Ellis et al [18] and Howell et al [25] in their studies showed that pain management education is vital for improving nurses' knowledge and practices only for a short duration and declines with time if education is not sustained. According to Guardini et al, Ellis et al, and Biceck, [7] [18]…”

Quality-of-Life in Turkish Cancer Patients: The Impact of Sociodemographic Characteristics, Medical History, and Management.

“…In agreement with our findings, a previous study reported that patients diagnosed with cancer who were treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy reported a worse QoL, and experienced more severe disruption of physical, emotional, social, and financial functions. 8 Cancer patients often fear pain 9,10 ; this is associated with disruption of cognitive, motivational, affective, psychological, and physical factors. 11 In addition, uncontrolled pain may adversely affect survival.…”

An Ethnography of the Culture of Pain in a Non-Pediatric Emergency Department

“…rely on their value judgment of patients pain to guide treatment (Byrne et al, 2001;Howell, Butler, Vincent, Watt-Watson, & Stearns, 2000;Matthews & Malcolm, 2007;McCaffery, Ferrell, & Pasero, 2000;Twycross, 2007a). Byrne et al (2001) used structured and unstructured observation to assess how nurses managed post-operative pain in children and whether practices adhered to best practice guidelines.…”

“…Howell, Butler, Vincent, Watt-Watson, and Stearns (2000) used survey and chart audit to examine the effect of education intervention in changing the knowledge, attitudes, and practice behaviors of registered nurses' in the assessment and management of cancer pain. They found while nurses acknowledged patient's self-report as the most accurate measure physician and nurse pain ratings were more valid.…”