Influence of professional vs. personal role on pain assessment and use of opioids.

Previous surveys have revealed that patient characteristics such as behavior may influence nurses decisions about pain assessment and analgesic use. This survey suggested that the role assumed by the nurse, professional versus personal, also influences these decisions. The findings further suggested that continuing education aimed at improving pain management needs to include not only knowledge about pain assessment and safety in the use of opioid analgesics, but also teaching methods that increase empathy.