Attitudes and Beliefs of Nurses and Nurse Assistants toward Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: A Mixed Methods Study

Pain experienced among individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) is the primary requirement for hospitalization.

This study examined the relationship of age, race, and years of experience among medical-surgical nurses and nursing assistants to their attitudes in caring for SCD patients and identified barriers that influence pain management care.

An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study design was used. Online survey data were collected among 56 participants and online interviews were conducted among three participants.

The General Perceptions of Sickle Cell Patients (GPSCP) Scale-17, composed of four subscales, assessed providers attitudes toward patients with SCD. Two subscales assessed providers' attitudes behaviors related to acute and chronic pain management.

There was no relationship between age and years of experience to scores on four subscales. White/Caucasian study participants scored higher on the Red Flag Behaviors subscale, indicating that White/Caucasian participants had stronger beliefs concerning drug-seeking behaviors among SCD patients as compared to other ethnicities/races. Themes generated from the qualitative interview data analysis were: 1) reflections on one's own practice compared to others' practice; 2) communication as a barrier/facilitator to providing care; 3) lack of national guidelines; and 4) adjunct staff are critical to facilitating holistic care.

Racial and ethnic differences exist among medical-surgical nurses and nursing assistants' attitudes. Poor communication and lack of national standards of care are barriers to providing high quality care.

Culturally sensitive care, based on current practice guidelines, is needed for improved pain management care for patients with SCD.