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Pain management communication between parents and nurses after pediatric outpatient surgery
Julia M Wu1, Mallorie T Tam1, Patricia M Page2
1Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; BC Children's and Women's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Insights
Nurses effectively communicated pain management strategies to parents after pediatric surgery. However, parents frequently asked questions about pain medication, indicating a need for clearer instructions and enhanced decision-making support.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric nursing
- Pain management communication
- Healthcare delivery
Background:
- Effective communication is crucial for pediatric pain management post-surgery.
- Parental understanding of pain medication is vital for adherence and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine parent-nurse communication regarding pain management during pediatric outpatient surgery discharge.
- To identify communication strengths and areas for improvement in pain management education.
Main Methods:
- Audio recordings and transcripts of 32 parent-nurse discharge encounters were analyzed.
- Qualitative content analysis was performed using MAXQDA and Microsoft Excel.
Main Results:
- Nurses used reassurance and optimism, with instructions at a sixth-grade reading level.
- Open-ended questions and promotion of parental decision-making were inconsistently applied.
- Parents most often inquired about pain medication, asking 1-5 questions.
Conclusions:
- Nurse communication demonstrated strengths, but gaps in parental understanding of pain medication exist.
- Findings suggest a need for improved communication strategies to enhance parental comprehension and involvement in pain management.
- Enhanced communication can optimize pediatric pain management and family-centered care post-discharge.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to explore parent-nurse pain management communication during a child's discharge process following pediatric outpatient surgery.
Design And Methods:
Thirty-two clinical encounters at discharge between parents (N = 40) and nurses (N = 25) at BC Children's Hospital were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis was applied on the audio recordings and corresponding transcripts using MAXQDA qualitative research software and Microsoft Excel.
Results:
Overall, nurses delivered pain management instructions at an average sixth grade readability level and frequently used communication elements of reassurance, optimism, and question-asking. Less consistent communication elements included open-ended questions, interruptions, and promotion of parental decision-making. Parents most frequently asked one to five questions, with pain medication being the most inquired topic.
Conclusions:
Several strengths of the nurse communication approach were identified, and parent questions highlighted a need for greater understanding around pain medication.
Practice Implications:
These findings will help guide effective pain management communication and care for young patients and their families.
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