Mini-Research proposal: Nurses and non-

pharmacological pain management.

Erin Joslin, RNWNMU, School of Nursing, NUR 332

April 15, 2013

Introduction● Pain is a nursing priority● Little research about

non-pharmacological pain relief in acute care

● Non-pharmacological techniques are in nursing scope of practice

Definition of Terms

● Pain – Unpleasant sensation and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage

Definition of Terms● Pain management

– effort to reduce pain

● Non-pharmacological – Does not involve

medication● Acute care setting

– Short-term treatment facility

Definition of Terms● Belief – Personal

conviction that may or may not be supported by evidence

● Knowledge – Theoretical or practical understanding of a subject

● Attitude – Settled way of thinking or feeling

● Behavior – How one conducts oneself

Theoretical Framework

Azjen's Theory of Planned Behavior

Purpose of StudyCorrelation between:

● Nurse knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about non-pharmacological pain relief

AND● Nurse use of non-

pharmacological pain relief

Research Question

In acute care settings, how are nurses' decisions to use or not to use non-pharmacological pain management techniques influenced by their knowledge and beliefs?

Design

● Descriptive correlational– Relationship between two variables

● Nurses' knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes● Nurses' use of non-pharmacological pain

relief– Non-experimental– Qualitative

Study SubjectsPopulation: R.N.s in New Mexico

Sample size: 100

Sampling: Convenience (Network) at three hospitals

– Gila Regional Medical Center

– Mimbres Memorial Hospital

– Memorial Medical Center

Collection of Data

● Self-report– Focused interview with topic guide

OR

– Online survey with open ended questions

Protection of Human Rights

● Institutional Review Board– Western New Mexico

University● Informed consent

– Established at each interview

– Document of disclosure and consent

Limitations● Geographic concentration

of sample● Limits related to data

collection– Interviews: time and

travel intensive– Questionnaire:

misinterpretation and low response rate

● Subjectivity of information

Summary

● Gateway to experimental research about non-pharmacological pain relief in acute care

● Changing attitudes about pain and pain-management

● Standardization of nursing knowledge regarding non-pharmacological pain management

ReferencesDemir, Y. (2012). Non-pharmacological therapies in pain management. Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu Health Sciences High School. www.intechopen.com

Gunnarsdóttir, S., & Grétarsdóttir, E. (2011). Systematic Review of Interventions Aimed at Nurses to Improve Pain Management. Nordic Journal Of Nursing Research & Clinical Studies / Vård I Norden, 31(4), 16-21.

McNamara, M. C., Harmon, D., & Saunders, J. (2012). Effect of education on knowledge, skills and attitudes around pain. British Journal Of Nursing, 21(16), 958-964.

Polit, D.F. & Beck, C.T. (2006). Essentials of nursing research:methods, appraisal, and utilization (6 th Ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Rose, L., Smith, O., Gélinas, C., Haslam, L., Dale, C., Luk, E., & ... Watt-Watson, J. (2012). CRITICAL CARE NURSES' PAIN ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES: A SURVEY IN CANADA. American Journal Of Critical Care, 21(4), 251-259.doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2012611