Strategies for Implementing Nursing Activities for Chronic Pain Management in Primary Care: Integrated Findings from...

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Healthcare Management
• Public Health

Background:

• Chronic pain (CP) affects 20% of Canadians, posing a significant public health challenge with an annual economic burden of $38.3-$40.4 billion.
• Limited integration of nursing activities in primary care CP management necessitates effective implementation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine implementation strategies for integrating nursing activities into primary care chronic pain (CP) management.
• To consider nursing practice realities and patient needs in developing these strategies.

Main Methods:

• A sequential explanatory mixed-methods study (QUAN→qual) was conducted with patient partners.
• Included a Delphi study for prioritizing nursing activities and qualitative focus groups for exploring barriers/facilitators.
• Findings were integrated using a joint display to identify implementation strategies.

Main Results:

• A significant gap exists between prioritized nursing activities for CP management and current primary care practices.
• Nursing involvement in CP management is in the early stages of implementation.
• Two key orientations for improvement: strengthening nurses' capacities (tools, training, guidance) and mobilizing stakeholders (patients, providers, managers) to support change.

Conclusions:

• Implementation strategies are vital for adopting nursing activities in CP management.
• This study provides a blueprint for maximizing nurses' contributions to primary care CP management by fully utilizing their competencies.