Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
International Journal of Caring Sciences, cilt.13, sa.1, ss.716-724, 2020 (Hakemli Dergi)
Background: Pain is a multifactorial and subjective experience that affects everyone regardless of age and gender and is one of the most important symptoms leading individuals to receive help from health care professionals. For effective pain management, it is necessary for the team of healthcare professionals to have the right knowledge, attitude, and assessment skills. Aim: This study was conducted with the aim of determining the knowledge and attitudes of nursing students regarding the concept of pain.
Methodology: The participants in this cross-sectional study were 440 nursing students who were studying at the nursing department in Turkey. The research data were collected from the academic year 2016–2017, using student information form and the Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (NKASRP). Data were analyzed by using SPSS 22.0 software.
Results: Of the students who participated in the study, 50% were at the third grade, 42% were at the age of 21, and 83.2% were female. Their total mean score in the NKASRP was found to be 19.38±3.35%. In the study, it was found that the difference between gender (p =0.000), which is one of the demographic information of the students, and the total NKASRP score average was statistically significant.
Conclusion: We found that the students did not have adequate knowledge and a positive attitude for pain management even though it is a very important part of patient care. We suggest that a pain management course structured with evidence-based information be established in undergraduate education and standardized worldwide.
Keywords: Pain, Nursing Student, Pain Management, Knowledge and Attitude