An Interprofessional Pain Diary in Transitional Care: A Feasibility Project.

Background: Understanding pain perceptions in older adults is important for pain management. An interprofessional team conducted a feasibility project to examine whether a pain diary designed for older adults in a transitional care unit offered a more holistic description of the pain experience.

Objectives: The project was designed to: (a) Develop a pain diary, (b) Examine patient usability, (c) Determine feasibility of the diary in workflow, and (d) Examine outcomes of diary entries and satisfaction surveys.

Methods: Three rapid change cycles assisted in developing and implementing the diary.

Results: Five patients followed for 32 days during implementation wrote simple narratives and rated their pain (M = 2-5.3) on 11-point pain rating scales. Themes from narrative responses were medicated relief and alternative methods, finding a balance between motion and activity, emotional burden of pain, and the importance of feeling supported by the health-care team. Patients and staff completed satisfaction questionnaires indicating enhanced communication.

Conclusions: The diary was feasible for patients and staff to use and has potential as an effective interprofessional tool for pain management.

Implications for nursing: The pain diary provides the interprofessional team an opportunity to understand the patient experience and provide holistic care.