Turkish Pediatric Nurses’ Use of Non-Pharmacological Methods for Postoperative Pain Relief in 6 to 12 Year Old Children

Abstract

INTRODUCTION There have been numerous pediatric postoperative pain management studies over the past 20 years, yet children continue to experience avoidable postoperative pain [1 3]. Recent studies suggest that postoperative pain in children is often poorly managed [4 7]. The reasons for this may include nurses’ undermedicating for postoperative pain despite adequate prescription, nurses’ inadequate pain assessment and monitoring, and inadequate use of other pain relief methods due to lack of time, knowledge, skills, and organizational support [8 11]. Some European investigators reported, that nurses frequently use these methods [12,13] and another study showed, that nurses rarely use these methods to relieve pain [14]. Research focused on nurses’ use of non-pharmacological methods for pediatric postoperative pain relief has increased in the recent years. However, research evidence seems to be inconsistent. Non-pharmacological methods in children’s pain management can be classified as sensory or physical, cognitive and cognitive-behavioural interventions.