Educating nurses about pain management: the way forward.

Nurse education does not appear to be preparing nurses to manage pain in the clinical area. A number of studies have demonstrated that nurses continue to have educational deficits in this context. Several studies have found no change in knowledge or behaviours following education about pain management. Others have found that changes in behaviour do occur. It is possible that innovative teaching strategies need to be used. The literature in this area is reviewed and recommendations made.