Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was to explore the gap between awareness and performance toward evidence-based pain management in older adults for the purpose of establishing baseline data for evidence-based pain management protocol development and dissemination.
METHODS
The subjects were 290 staff nurses from three general hospitals. Self administered questionnaires were used to collect the data and the results of the study were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation.
RESULTS
There were statistically significant differences between awareness and performance in pain assessment (t=17.31, p<.001), patient and family education (t=17.33, p<.001), pharmacologic management (t=12.99, p<.001), non pharmacological management (t=16.28, p<.001), and evaluation of effectiveness (t=11.70, p<.001). There were also statistically significant differences in awareness and performance according to the workplace, knowledge, and usual performance.
CONCLUSION
The study showed that the hospital nurses' performance about evidence-based pain management in older adults was lower than their awareness level thus indicating significant gaps between evidence and actual practice. To ensure effective pain care, the factors contributing to these gaps need to be analyzed to identify the barriers. In addition, the evidence-based pain management guideline suitable for various clinical settings needs to be developed and disseminated.