PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To obtain information about the knowledge and attitudes of Utah nurses concerning cancer pain management. DESIGN: Descriptive study. SETTING: Nurses in Utah. SAMPLE: 44 oncology nurses and 303 nononcology nurses completed the study. METHODS: Ferrell's Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain was given to oncology and nononcology nurses to compare knowledge and attitudes about treating cancer pain. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Knowledge and attitudes regarding cancer pain. FINDINGS: Attitudes of oncology nurses were more in line with recommended practices (principles) of cancer pain management than those of nononcology nurses. Oncology nurses had a better understanding of recommended practices (principles) of cancer pain management than nononcology nurses but still struggled with understanding the pharmacology of medications used to manage cancer pain. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses do not use evidence-based practice in pain management consistently. Continuing education regarding cancer pain management remains important for oncology and nononcology nurses. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Adoption of evidence-based practice requires ongoing education of nurses and support from nursing colleagues, nursing administration, and associated healthcare providers. Data from this study can be used to design a curriculum involving content about cancer pain management. All members of the healthcare team should be supported in practicing the correct principles of cancer pain management in actual practice.
PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To obtain information about the knowledge and attitudes of Utah nurses concerning cancer pain management. DESIGN: Descriptive study. SETTING: Nurses in Utah. SAMPLE: 44 oncology nurses and 303 nononcology nurses completed the study. METHODS: Ferrell's Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain was given to oncology and nononcology nurses to compare knowledge and attitudes about treating cancer pain. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Knowledge and attitudes regarding cancer pain. FINDINGS: Attitudes of oncology nurses were more in line with recommended practices (principles) of cancer pain management than those of nononcology nurses. Oncology nurses had a better understanding of recommended practices (principles) of cancer pain management than nononcology nurses but still struggled with understanding the pharmacology of medications used to manage cancer pain. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses do not use evidence-based practice in pain management consistently. Continuing education regarding cancer pain management remains important for oncology and nononcology nurses. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Adoption of evidence-based practice requires ongoing education of nurses and support from nursing colleagues, nursing administration, and associated healthcare providers. Data from this study can be used to design a curriculum involving content about cancer pain management. All members of the healthcare team should be supported in practicing the correct principles of cancer pain management in actual practice.
Authors: Nancy Wells; M Rachel McDowell; Patty Hendricks; Mary S Dietrich; Barbara Murphy Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2010-10-30 Impact factor: 3.603