Healthcare professionals' perceptions of pain in infants at risk for neurological impairment

• Main Authors: Camfield Carol S (Author), Beyene Joseph (Author), Stevens Bonnie (Author), McGrath Patrick J (Author), Breau Lynn M (Author), Finley G Allen (Author), Franck Linda (Author), Howlett Alexandra (Author), O'Brien Karel (Author), Ohlsson Arne (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2004-11-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To determine whether healthcare professionals perceive the pain of infants differently due to their understanding of that infant's level of risk for neurological impairment.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU's) at two tertiary pediatric centers. Ninety-five healthcare professionals who practice in the NICU (50 nurses, 19 physicians, 17 respiratory therapists, 9 other) participated. They rated the pain (0-10 scale and 0-6 Faces Pain Scale), distress (0-10), effectiveness of cuddling to relieve pain (0-10) and time to calm without intervention (seconds) for nine video clips of neonates receiving a heel stick. Prior to each rating, they were provided with descriptions that suggested the infant had mild, moderate or severe risk for neurological impairment. Ratings were examined as a function of the level of risk described.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Professionals' ratings of pain, distress, and time to calm did not vary significantly with level of risk, but ratings of the effectiveness of cuddling were significantly lower as risk increased [F (2,93) = 4.4, p = .02]. No differences in ratings were found due to participants' age, gender or site of study. Physicians' ratings were significantly lower than nurses' across ratings.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Professionals provided with visual information regarding an infants' pain during a procedure did not display the belief that infants' level of risk for neurological impairment affected their pain experience. Professionals' estimates of the effectiveness of a nonpharmacological intervention did differ due to level of risk.</p>

Item Description

10.1186/1471-2431-4-23
1471-2431