Experiences of Teaching and Learning Pediatric Pain Management in Ghana

Background

The literature has revealed gaps in knowledge and attitudes regarding pediatric pain management among Ghanaian nurses and nursing students that can be attributed to inadequate education in the area. Consequently, nursing tutors teaching pain management might not have the appropriate knowledge to transfer to their students.

Purpose

To explore nursing tutors’ experiences of teaching pediatric pain management as well as their students’ learning experiences before and after the tutors’ training workshop.

Design

A descriptive qualitative design was employed for the conduct of the study.

Methods

Data were collected via focus groups from 32 tutors and 24 students before and after an educational workshop. Data analysis drew on Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis.

Findings

Pre-workshop themes revealed knowledge deficits regarding pediatric pain management in both tutors and students due to learning having occurred in bits and pieces. Furthermore, lack of accessibility to books and pain scales perpetuated this bits-and-pieces approach to learning. Post-workshop findings revealed gains in tutors’ knowledge and skills. Consequently, students gained new insights into pediatric pain management.

Conclusion

Tutors and student nurses had a knowledge deficit regarding pediatric pain management. The educational workshop and the provision of learning materials resulted in enhanced knowledge and attitudes that subsequently improved tutors’ ability to effectively teach the topic to their students, with a clear implication for improvements in clinical practice.

Clinical Implication

Educating nursing tutors about pediatric pain is imperative to enable students and thus future nurses to be equipped with the necessary evidence-based knowledge of how to manage pediatric pain.