Factors Influencing Pain Management Practice in Pediatric Nurses

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to explore knowledge, barriers, and self-efficacy in relation to pain management practice, and to identify factors influencing pain management practice in pediatric nurses. Methods: A descriptive correlational study was conducted. The participants were 237 pediatric nurses from a metropolitan city. Data were analyzed using t-test or analysis of variance and Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses. Results: The mean percentage of correct answers on the children’s pain management knowledge scale was 58.8%. Child and parent related factors were the main barriers for pain management. Self-efficacy to assess children’s pain across developmental stages was particularly low. Pain management practices for assessing pain and non-pharmacological interventions were relatively low. Factors significantly affecting children’s pain management practice were current conditions of work department and self-efficacy in pain management, and these factors accounted for 37.5% of the variance in pain management practice. Conclusion: The results suggest that an integrative education program needs to be developed to improve self-efficacy in children’s pain management practice. Moreover, good communication, building cooperative relationships with children and parents, and a more active role by pediatric nurses are required to carry out more effective pain management.