Nurses' Autonomy and Perceived Barriers to Pain Management in Nursing Home Residents

Area of Science:

• Gerontological Nursing
• Pain Management
• Healthcare Professionals

Background:

• Nurses' autonomy is critical for effective pain management in nursing home (NH) residents.
• Limited understanding exists regarding nurse autonomy and its impact on unrelieved pain in NH residents, particularly in Jordan.
• Assessing barriers to pain management is essential for improving resident care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the prevalence of barriers to pain assessment and management in NH residents as perceived by nurses.
• To examine the relationship between nurses' level of autonomy and their perception of these barriers.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive comparative study design.
• Survey administered to nurses in nursing homes.
• Analysis of perceived barriers to pain assessment and management based on nurses' autonomy levels.

Main Results:

• Participating nurses reported low levels of clinical autonomy.
• A significant difference in perceived barriers to pain assessment and management was observed among nurses with varying autonomy levels.
• Findings indicate a correlation between nurse autonomy and the challenges faced in managing resident pain.

Conclusions:

• Nurses' autonomy significantly influences their ability to assess and manage pain in NH residents.
• Addressing barriers requires a focus on enhancing nurse autonomy within the NH setting.
• Improving nurse autonomy is key to optimizing pain management strategies for elderly residents.