An instrument to measure nurses' knowledge of behavioral methods with chronic pain patients

A 32-item multiple-choice questionnaire is described to assess nurses' knowledge of behavioral methods with chronic pain patients. The instrument was designed to assess knowledge across four areas: (a) behavioral principles, terms, and facts about pain patients, (b) application of behavioral methods to decrease negative pain behavior, (c) application of behavioral methods to increase positive well behavior, and (d) when, and with which pain patients to apply behavioral methods. Factor analyses identified two basic factors measured by the instrument. These included general knowledge of behavioral methods with chronic pain patients and the ability to differentially apply these methods in various medical circumstances. Further analysis revealed that the instrument contained adequate internal consistency, reliability and validity.