Home care for patients with opioid use disorders: A qualitative study of registered nurses' experiences of pain management.

Abstract

Aim: To explore registered nurses' experiences with pain management in patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) in home care.

Design: Qualitative explorative-descriptive design.

Methods: Data were collected via nine individual semi-structured interviews with registered nurses working in home care meeting patients with OUD. Data were analysed using systematic text condensation.

Results: Three categories were identified: Reciprocity in relationships and a professional approach enhance pain management; Discrepancies between guidelines, patient-reported pain and RNs' observations challenge pain management; and Interprofessional collaboration makes or breaks pain management.