Assessing and Managing Pain in Chronic Wounds
Author Information
Author(s): Frescos Nicoletta, Nay Rhonda, Fetherstonhaugh Deirdre, Gibson Stephen
Primary Institution: Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care, La Trobe University
Hypothesis
What assessment tools are used by wound practitioners to evaluate chronic persistent wound pain?
Conclusion
Health professionals often inquire about wound pain during dressing changes, but barriers hinder effective pain management.
Supporting Evidence
- Health professionals do ask patients about wound pain mostly during dressing changes.
- Methods routinely used to assess pain were by talking to the patient or pain rating scales.
- Several major themes emerged linking wound pain and limitations in providing effective wound pain management.
Takeaway
Doctors and nurses ask patients about pain from wounds, but there are challenges in helping them feel better.
Methodology
A national mail survey of members of the Australian Wound Management Association was conducted.
Limitations
Barriers exist that impact the implementation of effective pain management.
Participant Demographics
The survey included nurses, podiatrists, and doctors.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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