Identifying barriers to pain management in long-term care

Authors:
  • MUMary Egan Community nursing unitCork
    Mary Egan Community nursing unitCork
  • INIrelandNicola Cornally Catherine McAuley School of Nursing
    IrelandNicola Cornally Catherine McAuley School of Nursing
  • MIMidwifery
    Midwifery
  • UCUniversity College Cork
    University College Cork
  • IRIreland
    Ireland
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify barriers to optimal pain management in long-term care (LTC) from a nursing perspective. A quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive design was used. Patient-related barriers were seen as interfering more often with optimal pain management than organisational-related or caregiver-related barriers. Difficulty assessing pain due to problems with cognition, older patients' inability to complete pain scales and communication difficulties as a result of sensory impairment were common barriers. A targeted approach to address the identified barriers would help improve pain management practices in LTC.