Pain is often the most dreaded symptom of illness and injury. At the same time, it is one of the most common symptoms of hospitalized patients, regardless of their underlying condition. Nurses have many tools for pain assessment and there are numerous management strategies for pain. Yet, the featured research article for this session implies that pain is far from managed in hospital settings.
Discussion Questions:
- In your mind, what are some of the barriers to appropriate pain control for hospitalized patients?
- What pain assessment tools to you use in your nursing practice? Are they adequate?
- What strategies can be put into place to improve pain control for your patients?
The research article for review is:
Wadensten B, Fröjd C, Swenne CL, Gordh T, Gunningberg L. (2011). Why is pain still not being assessed adequately? Results of a pain prevalence study in a university hospital in Sweden. J Clin Nurs. 20(5-6):624-34. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2010.03482.x.
The abstract for the research article for this session can be retrieved from: http://1.usa.gov/ZMTfPX
The full EBN Commentary is found at http://bit.ly/YfFd8f
The discussion will take place Wednesday, March 20 (14.00 UK time) to Friday, March 22 (16.00 Eastern Standard Time: Toronto, Canada), 2013.
Be sure to tweet your messages and include #ebnjc to be part of the discussion.