Pain and Pain Management in Austrian Nursing Home Residents' Daily Lives: A Qualitative Study Guided by an Integrated Quality of Life Model for Older Adults.

Abstract

Pain affects various aspects of nursing home residents' lives and their quality of life. The Integrated Conceptual Model of Quality of Life for Older Adults provides a holistic framework to understand factors influencing quality of life. Especially in Austria, knowledge about pain and its management in nursing home residents' daily lives is lacking. Therefore, this study assesses pain and pain management in Austrian nursing home residents' daily lives in the context of the mentioned model. Data were collected in semi-structured interviews with 28 nursing home residents (median age 85.5/75% female), using an interview guide based on the model. A content-structuring qualitative content analysis was carried out. Interviewees often report that they did not want to be a burden, indicating that limiting beliefs may contribute to their reluctance to seek help. They emphasized that support from nursing staff was inadequate due to the lack of time, skills, and offered pain management options. Many interviewees used additional interventions to treat pain themselves. Overall, the Austrian situation appears to be consistent with findings in other countries.