In a pilot study, a continuing education program on pain assessment and management was implemented and evaluated. Questionnaires were completed by the nurse participants at the beginning, the end, and 2 months after the end of the pilot program. After the pilot program, participants reported having engaged in qualitatively improved psychosocial pain-reducing interventions. Findings from the pilot study were used to develop a definitive program and questionnaires of a larger intervention study. This article illustrates the usefulness of initially conducting research on a small-scale basis.

Education, Nursing, Continuing↗

PubMedDate not supplied

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.

Adult↗