Journal of advanced nursing
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Despite technological advancements in anaesthesia and analgesia, reported pain levels after day surgery remains high. Whilst it is unrealistic to expect no pain, the level that constitutes 'acceptable' pain remains unclear because of inconsistencies in reporting. These inconsistencies have resulted from different interpretations of what pain is and the use of different measurement tools. ⋯ There is a disparity in reported levels of pain after day surgery. It is important that a unified day surgery pain measurement strategy is established, so that patients can be informed about the intensity of pain that they are likely to experience following specific procedures.
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Numerous studies have employed the Delphi technique to seek expert opinion about aspects of clinical practice. When researching literature on the Delphi technique, however, we discovered discrepancies in its application, and a lack of detail when reporting design, administration, and analysis methods. Such lack of specificity hinders the replicability and assessment of the clinical and cultural validity and reliability of Delphi studies. ⋯ When rigorous methods of participant selection, group composition, participant feedback, and determination of consensus and importance are employed, the Delphi technique is a reliable, cost-effective means of obtaining and prioritizing experts judgements.
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Empowerment has become an increasingly important factor in determining college nurse educator burnout, work satisfaction and performance in current restructured college nursing programmes in Canada. ⋯ The results provide support for Kanter's organizational empowerment theory in the Canadian college nurse educator population. Higher levels of empowerment were associated with lower levels of burnout and greater work satisfaction. These findings have important implications for nurse education administrators.
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Many patients continue to suffer moderate pain following surgery. Much of this may be unnecessary and could be alleviated with careful strategic pain management. It appears that the knowledge and attitudes of both health care professionals and patients are pivotal to patients' pain experiences. ⋯ Improvements in pain management can be made by embracing basic pain management principles.
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No comprehensive review has been published to date, which provides information for nurses on pharmaceutical alternatives to morphine in palliative care. As nurses are often the health professional most involved with terminally ill patients, there is a clear need for a review of current practices which is accessible to nurses. ⋯ Nurses need to be aware of treatment options that may benefit patients with difficult pain problems. Although positive experiences have been documented when using alternatives to morphine, more research must be conducted to allow practitioners to add more pharmaceutical alternatives to their pain management armouries.