Analysis of nurses' knowledge of behavioral methods applied to chronic and acute pain patients

Thirty-seven nurses with no formal training in behavioral methods were assessed on their knowledge of basic behavioral principles and terminology, the application of behavioral methods with chronic and acute pain patients to decrease negative and increase positive behaviors, and when and with which patients such methods should be applied. Results showed that nurses failed to exhibit adequate understanding of behavioral methods except for their application to decrease negative behavior. Findings are discussed in terms of documenting the need for formal training in behavioral methods as part of nurses' academic curriculum and targeting specific areas that should be emphasized as part of such training.