Abstract
Aims
To identify and synthesize evidence regarding the knowledge and attitudes of nurses, and barriers and facilitators to effective pain assessment and management in infants and children.
Background
Pain among children is a common experience. Relief from pain is a fundamental human right, yet hospitalized children continue to experience unrelieved pain. Provision of effective pain management is an integral part of the nurse's role.
Methods
Guided by Whittemore & Knafl's five‐stage framework, primary peer‐reviewed studies published in English between 2000 and 2018 were searched using CINAHL, PubMed, ProQuest, PsycINFO and Scopus. The initial search yielded 292 papers. Twenty‐seven papers were included in this review: quantitative (n = 18), qualitative (n = 5) and mixed‐methods (n = 4).
Results
Findings showed that nurses internationally have poor knowledge and attitudes of basic pain assessment and management principles. Barriers to effective pain management include the absence of pain education and assessment tools, parents’ reluctance to report pain and insufficient prescription of analgesia by physicians. Facilitators for the effective management of pain include parental participation in care, trusting and respectful relationships between nurses and children, and adequate nurse–patient ratios.
Conclusion
The review findings suggest a need to improve education for nurses, doctors and the patients’ family in relation to paediatric pain management, communication and interprofessional collaborations. There is a need to maximize facilitators and overcome barriers, such as those identified in this review, to ensure the quality of paediatric pain management.
Implications for nursing and health policy
Nursing and health policy should mandate the prioritization of paediatric pain management and the clinical roles and responsibilities of the interdisciplinary team members. Undergraduate, postgraduate and in‐service education for nurses and other health professionals should also address paediatric pain management. In‐service education on paediatric pain management should be compulsory for all health professionals caring for children.