Background Inguinal hernia repair is a common ambulatory surgery after which many patients experience moderate to severe post-operative pain. Limited research has examined the effect of education interventions to reduce pain after ambulatory surgery. Purpose This trial evaluated the effectiveness of an individualized Hernia Repair Education Intervention (HREI) for patients following inguinal hernia repair. Method Pre-operatively, participants (N = 82) were randomized to either the intervention (HREI) or the usual care group. The HREI included written and verbal information regarding managing pain and two telephone support calls (before and after surgery). The primary outcome was WORST 24-h pain intensity on movement on post-operative day 2. Secondary outcomes included pain intensity at rest and movement, pain-related interference with activities, pain quality, analgesics consumed, and adverse effects at post-operative days 2 and 7. Results At day 2, the intervention group reported significantly lower scores across pain intensity outcomes, including WORST 24-h pain on movement and at rest (p < 0.001), and pain NOW on movement and at rest (p = 0.001). Conclusion These findings suggest that the HREI may improve patients’ pain and function following ambulatory inguinal hernia repair. Further research should examine the effectiveness of an education intervention over a longer period of time.
As the two principal research investigators, we are pleased that our large, long-term, multicentre study on persistent postcardiac surgery pain was published in CMAJ .[1][1] However, we strongly take issue with the Editor's comment in the April 15 print synopsis version regarding the data in the
Continuing professional development is an important means of improving access to effective patient care. Although pain content has increased significantly in prelicensure programs, little is known about how postlicensure health professionals advance or maintain competence in pain management.The aim of this study was to investigate Canadian health professionals' continuing professional development needs, activities, and preferred modalities for pain management.This study employed a cross-sectional self-report web survey.The survey response rate was 57% (230/400). Respondents were primarily nurses (48%), university educated (95%), employed in academic hospital settings (62%), and had ≥11 years postlicensure experience (70%). Most patients (>50%) cared for in an average week presented with pain. Compared to those working in nonacademic settings, clinicians in academic settings reported significantly higher acute pain assessment competence (mean 7.8/10 versus 6.9/10; P < 0.002) and greater access to pain specialist consultants (73% versus 29%; P < 0.0001). Chronic pain assessment competence was not different between groups. Top learning needs included neuropathic pain, musculoskeletal pain, and chronic pain. Recently completed and preferred learning modalities respectively were informal and work-based: reading journal articles (56%, 54%), online independent learning (44%, 53%), and attending hospital rounds (43%, 42%); 17% had not completed any pain learning activities in the past 12 months. Respondents employed in nonacademic settings and nonphysicians were more likely to use pocket cards, mobile apps, and e-mail summaries to improve pain management.Canadian postlicensure health professionals require greater access to and participation in interactive and multimodal methods of continuing professional development to facilitate competency in evidence-based pain management.Contexte: Le développement professionnel continu est un moyen important d’améliorer l’accès à des soins efficaces pour les patients. Bien que le contenu lié à la douleur ait augmenté de manière significative dans les programmes préalables à l’autorisation d’exercer, on sait peu de choses sur la façon dont les professionnels de la santé après licenciés améliorent ou maintiennent leurs compétences en matière de gestion de la douleur.Objectifs: Étudier les besoins, les activités et les préférences de développement professionnel continu des cliniciens canadiens en matière de gestion de la douleur.Méthodes: Enquête Web transversale d’auto-évaluation.Résultats: Le taux de réponse au sondage était de 57 % (230/400). Les répondants étaient principalement des infirmières (48 %), des diplômés universitaires (95 %), des employés en milieu hospitalier universitaire (62 %), avec ≥11 ans d’expérience après l’obtention du permis (70 %). La plupart des patients (> 50 %) pris en charge dans une semaine moyenne présentaient des douleurs. Comparativement à ceux qui travaillent dans des milieux non universitaires, les cliniciens en milieu universitaire ont signalé une compétence d’évaluation de la douleur aiguë significativement plus élevée (moyenne de 7,8/10 contre 6,9/10; P < 0,002) et un meilleur accès aux consultants en gestion de la douleur (73 % contre 29 %; P < 0,0001). La compétence d’évaluation de la douleur chronique n’était pas différente entre les groupes. Les principaux besoins d’apprentissage comprenaient la douleur neuropathique, la douleur musculo-squelettique et la douleur chronique. Les modalités d’apprentissage récemment achevées et préférées étaient respectivement informelles et basées sur le travail: lecture d’articles de journaux (56 %, 54 %), apprentissage indépendant en ligne (44 %, 53 %) et participation à des visites à l’hôpital (43 %, 42 %); 17 % n’avaient effectué aucune activité d’apprentissage de la douleur au cours des 12 derniers mois. Les répondants hors les médecins et ceux employés dans des milieux non universitaires étaient plus susceptibles d’utiliser des cartes de poche, des applications mobiles et des résumés par e-mail pour améliorer la gestion de la douleur.Conclusions: Les professionnels de la santé canadiens après l’obtention du permis d’exercice ont besoin d’un meilleur accès et d’une plus grande participation aux méthodes interactives et multimodales de développement professionnel continu pour faciliter la compétence en gestion de la douleur fondée sur des données probantes.
Relationship between nurses’ pain knowledge and pain management outcomes for their postoperative cardiac patients Nurses’ knowledge and perceived barriers related to pain management have been examined extensively. Nurses have evaluated their pain knowledge and management practices positively despite continuing evidence of inadequate pain management for patients. However, the relationship between nurses’ stated knowledge and their pain management practices with their assigned surgical cardiac patients has not been reported. Therefore, nurses ( n =94) from four cardiovascular units in three university‐affiliated hospitals were interviewed along with 225 of their assigned patients. Data from patients, collected on the third day following their initial, uncomplicated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, were aggregated and linked with their assigned nurse to form 80 nurse–patient combinations. Nurses’ knowledge scores were not significantly related to their patients’ pain ratings or analgesia administered. Critical deficits in knowledge and misbeliefs about pain management were evident for all nurses. Patients reported moderate to severe pain but received only 47% of their prescribed analgesia. Patients’ perceptions of their nurses as resources with their pain were not positive. Nurses’ knowledge items explained 7% of variance in analgesia administered. Hospital sites varied significantly in analgesic practices and pain education for nurses. In summary, nurses’ stated pain knowledge was not associated with their assigned patients’ pain ratings or the amount of analgesia they received.
Regular pain assessment can lead to decreased incidence of pain and shorter durations of mechanical ventilation and stays in the intensive care unit.To document knowledge and perceptions of pain assessment and management practices among Canadian intensive care unit nurses.A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to 3753 intensive care unit nurses identified through the 12 Canadian provincial/territorial nursing associations responsible for professional regulation.A total of 842 nurses (24%) responded, and 802 surveys could be evaluated. Nurses were significantly less likely (P < .001) to use a pain assessment tool for patients unable to communicate (267 nurses, 33%) than for patients able to self-report (712 nurses, 89%). Significantly fewer respondents (P < .001) rated behavioral pain assessment tools as moderately to extremely important (595 nurses, 74%) compared with self-report tools (703 nurses, 88%). Routine (>50% of the time) discussion of pain scores during nursing handover was reported by 492 nurses (61%), and targeting of analgesia to a pain score or other assessment parameters by physicians by 333 nurses (42%). Few nurses (n = 235; 29%) were aware of professional society guidelines for pain assessment and management. Routine use of a behavioral pain tool was associated with awareness of published guidelines (odds ratio, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.7-3.7) and clinical availability of the tool (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.6-4.3).A substantial proportion of intensive care unit nurses did not use pain assessment tools for patients unable to communicate and were unaware of pain management guidelines published by professional societies.
lack of social support, and high levels of psychosocial distress.Conclusion: Same-day discharge PCI presents a sustainable option for delivery of care for most patients, but requires improved bridging between acute intervention and chronic disease management.Disease management programs for post-PCI patients that focus on complications of chronic disease, symptom management, and health-seeking behaviour present an opportunity for cardiac referral centres to prevent a gap in care for this patient population.In addition, this study's important findings related to the prevalence and impact of depression, stress and anxiety support current literature recognizing that psychosocial factors contribute to the trajectory of cardiovascular disease, and are predictive of increased morbidity and mortality after hospitalization for CAD.The study calls for screening of psychoemotional distress and the investigation of appropriate interventions for the elective PCI patient population.
