The Impact of an Educational Program on the Nursing Management of Post-operative Pain

Abstract

This study examines the influence of an educational program on the nursing assessment and management of post-operative pain. A problem-based retrospective audit was implemented to initially determine the nursing assessment and management of post-operative pain. Based on the results of the audit, educational strategies were implemented and a re-audit was carried out to evaluate the changes in nursing practice. There was evidence in the study to support the notion that nurses do not assess or manage post-operative pain effectively. The study suggested that an educational program based on the results of the problem-based audit may improve the frequency and accuracy of documentation of the assessment of pain and the documentation of the utilization of a variety of alternate approaches to relieve post-operative pain. However, the results also indicated that an educational program may not increase the frequency and dosage of analgesic administration and that nurses' perception of their nursing practice may be inconsistent with their actual practice. The study also indicated that nurses will attend educational programs if given the opportunity to participate in the development of these programs. Further studies should be carried out to examine the relationship between written documentation of assessment and management of pain and the actual assessment and management of pain by nurses, between nurses' perceptions of their clinical practice and their actual practice, and among variables environment which may affect nurses' clinical performance. Further studies should also be undertaken to determine if practice-based education programs can influence nurses' clinical practice.