Examining Conditions that Facilitate Parental Involvement in Procedural Pain Management

Abstract

Procedural pain is still under managed in practice, resulting in immediate and long-term negative sequellae for children. Accreditation guidelines identify health care professionals as responsible for providing procedural pain management, however recent evidence supports the idea that parents can be assisted to provide effective pain management through non-pharmacological strategies. Using Appreciative Inquiry, twelve nurses were interviewed about their knowledge of the evidence, work context, and factors that facilitate their ability to engage parents in procedural pain management. Focus groups verified the findings and made suggestions for practical application. From the data, four predominant patterns emerged: 1) Establishing meaningful interpersonal connections; 2) Fostering a culture of collaboration; 3) Pain as a priority – moving from a philosophy to a standard; 4) Sustaining practices through advanced knowledge and skills. Findings will contribute to the literature that guides education, policies, and standards that engage all resources to promote more effective pain relieving practices.