Research article summary (published 30 Jul 2008):

Pain management: evaluating the effectiveness of an educational programme for surgical nursing staff.

Full Abstract

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a pain management education programme in improving the nurses' knowledge about, attitude towards and application of relaxation therapy. BACKGROUND: Pain of surgical patients has long been an existing problem of health care. Nursing staff need to be educated continuously to develop the professional ability of pain management. METHODS: A quasi-study design with pre- and posttest and post- and posttest was used. Subjects were chosen from a medical centre in Taipei by convenience sampling. The total sample size of 81 was segregated into a study group of 42 and control group of 39 participants. The study group attended a seven-session pain management programme totalling 15 hours. The control group received no pain management training. Scaled measurements were taken on pain management knowledge and attitude and relaxation therapy practice. RESULTS: (1) Scores for pain management knowledge differed significantly between the two groups (F = 40.636, p = 0.001). (2) Attitudes towards pain management differed between the two groups (F = 8.328, p = 0.005) and remained stable over time (F = 1.603, p = 0.205). (3) Relaxation therapy practice differed significantly between the two groups, with the study group better than the control group (F = 4.006, p = 0.049). (4) Relaxation therapy was applied to nearly all (97.5%) of the patients cared for by study group nurses. All of the instructed patients performed this technique one to three times per day postsurgery. CONCLUSIONS: Continuing education can improve nurses' knowledge about, attitude towards and behaviour of pain management. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Results of this study could be used to guide the development and implementation of continuing education programmes for nursing staff to enhance patients' care knowledge and skills.

Author information

Author/s: Lin, Pi-Chu (PC); Chiang, Hsiao-Wen (HW); Chiang, Ting-Ting (TT); Chen, Chyang-Shiong (CS);

Affiliation: Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Department of Nursing and National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. pclin(-atsign-)vghtpe.gov.tw

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Controlled Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of clinical nursing (J Clin Nurs), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Aug; vol 17 (issue 15) : pp 2032-41

Dates: Created 2008/08/21; Completed 2008/11/12; Revised 2009/03/18;

PMID: 18720573, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 3/18/2009, IMS Date: 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Analgesia - methods; nursing Analysis of Variance Attitude of Health Personnel Chi-Square Distribution Clinical Competence - standards Education, Nursing, Continuing - organization & administration Female Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Humans Imagery (Psychotherapy) - education; organization & administration

Male Nurse's Role - psychology Nursing Education Research Nursing Methodology Research Nursing Staff, Hospital - education; psychology Pain, Postoperative - nursing Perioperative Nursing - education; organization & administration Program Evaluation Questionnaires Relaxation Therapy - education; organization & administration Taiwan

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