Establishing the validity and reliability of a pediatric pain knowledge and attitudes questionnaire

Children continue to experience unrelieved pain during hospitalization, despite the evidence to guide nurses' pain management practices being readily available. Nurses' knowledge and attitudes have been identified as a possible reason for suboptimal pain management. This study examines the validity and reliability of an existing questionnaire to validate it for use in the population of interest. Initial testing demonstrated low reliability and validity. Modifications to the questionnaire were made on the basis of these results and the feedback provided by experts in pediatric pain management. Subsequent testing demonstrated good validity and reliability, suggesting that the questionnaire is appropriate for measuring nurses' knowledge and attitudes in relation to pediatric pain management.