Qualitative needs assessment prior to a continuing education program

The usefulness of qualitative research is illustrated by the presentation of a needs assessment among Dutch surgical cancer nurses and patients. Participant observations and qualitative interviews showed that nurses usually did not assess pain systematically, gave insufficient pain medication, were unaware of the effectiveness of some nonpharmacological techniques, and often felt powerless in giving psychosocial support. Patients appeared inhibited in expressing pain and inhibition was reinforced by ineffective interactions with nurses. using these findings, a continuing education program on pain assessment and management was developed.