Barriers to and Faciliators for Post Op Pain Management
Post-Operative Pain Control
Jenifer S. McFarlane
Grand Canyon University: NRS-433V Introduction to Nursing Research
December 2, 2012
Unrelieved post-operative pain is one of the leading clinical challenges in the health care field. Despite vast research and numerous analgesic approaches in the management of pain, members of the health care profession continue to struggle in controlling or minimizing it in post-operative patients. Statistics indicate that about 43 million patients in the United States experience acute postoperative pain, with pain intensities of moderate to severe reported by 80% of these patients (Apfelbaum, J. et al, 2003). Nursing research describes post-operative pain management as a fundamental component of nursing process. Although nurses do play a crucial role in pain management, the extent of involvement is often limited in Iranian nursing practice. This study demonstrates the lack of involvement by Iranian nurses and identifies the barriers and facilitators in the control of post-operative pain (Rejeh et al, 2008). While this study is specifically about Iranian nursing practice, it is a worthwhile study as the U.S. also struggles with the management of pain for patients post-operatively.
The only means of post-operative pain control in Iranian surgical units is pharmacological in nature. Due to their unpopularity, alternative methods of pain relief are rarely used in Iran. Iranian nurses express a lack of ability to use their training, knowledge, and skills to act in patients’ best interest in decreasing or eliminating pain. This is a common feeling among nurses in the U.S. as well. While non-pharmacological pain relief therapies are increasing in popularity, health care professionals and patients’ understanding of these methods are not well researched and therefore not used regularly. The purpose of this study was to illustrate the barriers and facilitators to post-operative pain management from the
Jenifer S. McFarlane
Grand Canyon University: NRS-433V Introduction to Nursing Research
December 2, 2012
Unrelieved post-operative pain is one of the leading clinical challenges in the health care field. Despite vast research and numerous analgesic approaches in the management of pain, members of the health care profession continue to struggle in controlling or minimizing it in post-operative patients. Statistics indicate that about 43 million patients in the United States experience acute postoperative pain, with pain intensities of moderate to severe reported by 80% of these patients (Apfelbaum, J. et al, 2003). Nursing research describes post-operative pain management as a fundamental component of nursing process. Although nurses do play a crucial role in pain management, the extent of involvement is often limited in Iranian nursing practice. This study demonstrates the lack of involvement by Iranian nurses and identifies the barriers and facilitators in the control of post-operative pain (Rejeh et al, 2008). While this study is specifically about Iranian nursing practice, it is a worthwhile study as the U.S. also struggles with the management of pain for patients post-operatively.
The only means of post-operative pain control in Iranian surgical units is pharmacological in nature. Due to their unpopularity, alternative methods of pain relief are rarely used in Iran. Iranian nurses express a lack of ability to use their training, knowledge, and skills to act in patients’ best interest in decreasing or eliminating pain. This is a common feeling among nurses in the U.S. as well. While non-pharmacological pain relief therapies are increasing in popularity, health care professionals and patients’ understanding of these methods are not well researched and therefore not used regularly. The purpose of this study was to illustrate the barriers and facilitators to post-operative pain management from the
References: Apfelbaum, J., Chen, C., Mehta, S., Gan, T. (2003). Postoperative Pain Experience: Results From a National Survey Suggest Postoperative Pain Continues to be Undermanaged. Anesth Analg, 97(2), 534–540. Retrieved December 2, 2012, from http://journals.lww.com/ornursejournal/Fulltext/2011/11000/New_thinking_about_postoperative_pain_management.8.aspx#P11 Bicek, E. (2004). Nurses ' Attitudes, Knowledge, and Use of Nonpharmalogical Pain Management Techniques And Therapies. Honors Projects. Paper 12. Retrieved December 2, 2012, from http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/nursing_honproj/12 Rejeh, N. N., Ahmadi, F. F., Mohammadi, E. E., Anoosheh, M. M., & Kazemnejad, A. A. (2008). Barriers to And Facilitators of Post-Operative Pain Management in Iranian Nursing: a Qualitative Research Study. International Nursing Review, 55(4), 468-475. Retrieved December 2, 2012, from http://ehis.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=f992456e-4001-4729-b8cd-6f2710a56e5f%40sessionmgr12&vid=5&hid=4