An innovative approach to targeting pain in older people in the acute care setting
Caroline Phelan
CNC Hunter Integrated Pain Service, John Hunter Hospital/Hunter New England Area Health Service, Newcastle NSW
Isabel Higgins
OPAC, Research and Practice Development; Older Person Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Newcastle; Center for Practice Opportunity and Development, John Hunter Hospital, Hunter New England Health, Newcastle NSW
Peter Summons
Information Systems, School of Design, Communication and IT, Faculty of Science and IT, University of Newcastle, Newcastle NSW
Jeanene Douglas
CNC Hunter Integrated Pain Service, John Hunter Hospital, Hunter New England Area Health Service, Newcastle NSW
Pauline M Dobson
CNC Immunology and Infectious Diseases Unit, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle NSW
Fiona Hodson
CNC Hunter Integrated Pain Service, John Hunter Hospital, Hunter New England Area Health Service, Newcastle NSW
PP: 221 - 233
Abstract
This paper reports the findings of an exploratory pilot study which used mixed methods to determine (a) the feasibility of the study design for a larger multi site project and (b) whether a pain education promotion approach, termed 'Targeting Pain', using a multidisciplinary educational campaign and promotional media such as staff badges and ward signage, improves the detection and management of pain in older people in an acute care setting. Pre and post evaluation surveys and interviews were used to evaluate the approach.
Findings showed an increase in pain assessment and documentation of pain by nursing staff, as well as an increase in the prescription of oral analgesics. However, the study indicated that the uptake regarding pain management from the education campaign was different between professional groups. Although there was a positive response by patients and staff to the use of staff badges, the ward signage failed to attract attention. The mixed methods approach used highlighted several areas that need to be improved for the next phase of the study.
Keywords
pain management; older people; multidisciplinary education; visual media; nursing uptake
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