What knowledge and understanding do ward nurses' have, in relation to the effectiveness of pain management of people with severe dementia in Scotland?
Citation
(2016) What knowledge and understanding do ward
nurses' have, in relation to the effectiveness of
pain management of people with severe
dementia in Scotland?, no. 76.
Abstract
Background
There are approximately 90,000 people living with dementia in Scotland, with this
number expected to double in the next 25 years. Dementia describes an array of brain
diseases, which are characterised by a progressive decline in intellectual and mental
function. In the end stages of their illness, people with dementia find communication
increasingly difficult. Age is the highest risk factor for both dementia and pain.
Communication has an essential role in pain management in a hospital setting. The
most common form of pain assessment is self report, where the patient informs the
nurse that they are in pain.
Therefore if a person with severe dementia is in hospital and they have communication
difficulties, then it is more challenging for nurses' to assess and manage their pain. Pain
assessment and management is an important aspect of a nurses' role therefore they
should be able to carry out efficient pain assessments.
Aims
This study will be conducted in order to gain a better understanding of nurses'
experiences, while working on general medical ward, of pain management for people
with dementia, in Scotland. This research would allow for the identification of whether
further training and education is required in order to improve the nursing care of people
with dementia.
Methods
The research study will follow a qualitative, exploratory-descriptive approach. Purposive
sampling is used and the criteria would include registered nurses' with more than 6
months experience in their current post on a general medical ward. The method of data
collection will be through interviews, lasting no longer than 30 minutes. Open-ended
questions will be used throughout the interview. The data will be transcribed by an
independent researcher, then analysed. The results will aim to develop theories and
understanding of pain management for people with severe dementia in Scotland. A
further aim is to highlight the need for further research of this topic in Scotland.