Abstract
Introduction: Effective implementation of an evidence based pain policy for children is affected by nurses' knowledge of, attitudes towards and selfefficacy. Since nurses from different departments and with different levels of education manage pain in children, we evaluated the impact of the nursing ward and educational level on the management of paediatric pain.
Methods: Nurses working in paediatric wards or emergency departments of 16 regional or academic hospitals in Flanders, Belgium were invited to participate. A validated multiple choice questionnaire (Pediatric Nurses' Knowlegde and Attitudes regarding Pain Survey, PNKAS) [1] was used to assess knowledge and attitudes while selfefficacy for paediatric pain was assessed based on the Nurses Self Efficacy in Managing Children's Pain questionnaire [2].
Results: Questionnaires from 550 nurses were collected. Deficits in knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy of nurses were documented. Nurses' knowledge deficits are mainly situated within the area of drug prescription. Compared to nurses from emergency department, nurses from pediatric wards have significantly higher scores on self-efficacy, but not on knowledge and attitudes. As for knowledge and attitudes, nurses with an educational level higher than bachelor score better than nurses with a lower level of education. However, this is not the case as far as self-efficacy is concerned.
Conclusions: Nursing ward and educational level influence nurses' management of paediatric pain. This should be taken in consideration during teaching and subsequent implementation of an evidence based paediatic pain policy.[1] Mannworren et al, Pediatr Nurs 2000[2] Chiang et al, J Pain Sympt Manag 2006.
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Stuer, A., Gorp, I. & Allegaert, K. 462 Covariates of Nurses' Management of Pain in Children. Pediatr Res 68 (Suppl 1), 237 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00462
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00462
