Observation of pain assessment and management - The complexities of clinical practice

Abstract

• Pain assessment and management are complex issues that embrace physiological, emotional, cognitive, and social dimensions. • This observational study sought to investigate nurse-patient interactions associated with pain assessment and management in hospitalized postsurgical patients in clinical practice settings. • Twelve field observations were carried out on Registered Nurses' activities relating to pain with their assigned patients. All nurses were involved in direct patient care in one surgical unit of a metropolitan teaching hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Six observation times were identified as key periods for activities relating to pain, which included change of shift and high ac..