ENHANCING NURSES' COMPETENCY IN POST-SURGICAL PAIN MANAGEMENT: IMPACT OF AN EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Author Name: 1. Ms. Dimple H. Vyas, 2. Ms. Janki Rathva

Volume/Issue: 05/11

Country: India

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/04.2025-99964633/UIJIR

Affiliation:

1. Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Parul Institute of Nursing, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.
2. Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Parul Institute of Nursing, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Pain management is critical to post-surgical patient care, requiring nurses to possess adequate knowledge and skills to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Effective pain management reduces complications, accelerates recovery, and enhances patient satisfaction. However, knowledge gaps in pain assessment and management strategies among nurses can lead to inadequate pain control, affecting patient recovery. This study aims to assess nurses’ knowledge regarding pain management in post-surgical patients and evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention in improving their knowledge. Methodology: A quantitative quasi-experimental one-group pre-test post-test design was used to assess the impact of an educational intervention on nurses' pain management knowledge. The study was conducted in the surgical wards and post-operative units of a selected hospital in Vadodara, with a sample of 100 registered nurses selected through convenience sampling. Inclusion criteria required nurses to have at least six months of clinical experience and a willingness to participate, while those on extended leave or with recent specialized pain management training were excluded. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire before and after the intervention. The findings aim to support the development of evidence-based strategies to enhance pain management practices in post-surgical care. Result and Analysis: The study demonstrated a significant improvement in nurses' knowledge of post-surgical pain management following an educational intervention. Pre-test results showed 40% had poor knowledge (0-11), 45% had average knowledge (12-19), and only 15% scored well (20-25). Post-intervention, 70% achieved good scores, while poor scores dropped to 10%, indicating the training's effectiveness. The mean knowledge score increased from 13.45 ± 4.25 to 21.85 ± 3.15, with a t-value of 22.47 surpassing the critical value of 1.984 (p = 0.05), confirming the intervention’s impact. Demographic factors did not significantly affect pre-test knowledge levels (p > 0.05), highlighting widespread knowledge gaps. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the need for structured educational programs to enhance nurses' pain management knowledge in post-surgical care. The significant post-test improvement confirms the effectiveness of training in bridging knowledge gaps and improving patient care outcomes.

Key words: Pain management, post-surgical patients, knowledge, educational intervention, quasi-experimental study, nursing education, tertiary care hospital,