Continuing professional development needs in pain management for Canadian health care professionals: A cross sectional survey.

Background: Continuing professional development is an important means of improving access to effective patient care. Although pain content has increased significantly in prelicensure programs, little is known about how postlicensure health professionals advance or maintain competence in pain management. Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate Canadian health professionals' continuing professional development needs, activities, and preferred modalities for pain management. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional self-report web survey. Results: The survey response rate was 57% (230/400). Respondents were primarily nurses (48%), university educated (95%), employed in academic hospital settings (62%), and had ≥11 years postlicensure experience (70%). Most patients (>50%) cared for in an average week presented with pain. Compared to those working in nonacademic settings, clinicians in academic settings reported significantly higher acute pain assessment competence (mean 7.8/10 versus 6.9/10; P < 0.002) and greater access to pain specialist consultants (73% versus 29%; P < 0.0001). Chronic pain assessment competence was not different between groups. Top learning needs included neuropathic pain, musculoskeletal pain, and chronic pain. Recently completed and preferred learning modalities respectively were informal and work-based: reading journal articles (56%, 54%), online independent learning (44%, 53%), and attending hospital rounds (43%, 42%); 17% had not completed any pain learning activities in the past 12 months. Respondents employed in nonacademic settings and nonphysicians were more likely to use pocket cards, mobile apps, and e-mail summaries to improve pain management. Conclusions: Canadian postlicensure health professionals require greater access to and participation in interactive and multimodal methods of continuing professional development to facilitate competency in evidence-based pain management.

Contexte: Le développement professionnel continu est un moyen important d'améliorer l'accès à des soins efficaces pour les patients. Bien que le contenu lié à la douleur ait augmenté de manière significative dans les programmes préalables à l'autorisation d'exercer, on sait peu de choses sur la façon dont les professionnels de la santé après licenciés améliorent ou maintiennent leurs compétences en matière de gestion de la douleur.Objectifs: Étudier les besoins, les activités et les préférences de développement professionnel continu des cliniciens canadiens en matière de gestion de la douleur.Méthodes: Enquête Web transversale d'auto-évaluation.Résultats: Le taux de réponse au sondage était de 57 % (230/400). Les répondants étaient principalement des infirmières (48 %), des diplômés universitaires (95 %), des employés en milieu hospitalier universitaire (62 %), avec ≥11 ans d'expérience après l'obtention du permis (70 %). La plupart des patients (> 50 %) pris en charge dans une semaine moyenne présentaient des douleurs. Comparativement à ceux qui travaillent dans des milieux non universitaires, les cliniciens en milieu universitaire ont signalé une compétence d'évaluation de la douleur aiguë significativement plus élevée (moyenne de 7,8/10 contre 6,9/10; P < 0,002) et un meilleur accès aux consultants en gestion de la douleur (73 % contre 29 %; P < 0,0001). La compétence d'évaluation de la douleur chronique n'était pas différente entre les groupes. Les principaux besoins d'apprentissage comprenaient la douleur neuropathique, la douleur musculo-squelettique et la douleur chronique. Les modalités d'apprentissage récemment achevées et préférées étaient respectivement informelles et basées sur le travail: lecture d'articles de journaux (56 %, 54 %), apprentissage indépendant en ligne (44 %, 53 %) et participation à des visites à l'hôpital (43 %, 42 %); 17 % n'avaient effectué aucune activité d'apprentissage de la douleur au cours des 12 derniers mois. Les répondants hors les médecins et ceux employés dans des milieux non universitaires étaient plus susceptibles d'utiliser des cartes de poche, des applications mobiles et des résumés par e-mail pour améliorer la gestion de la douleur.Conclusions: Les professionnels de la santé canadiens après l'obtention du permis d'exercice ont besoin d'un meilleur accès et d'une plus grande participation aux méthodes interactives et multimodales de développement professionnel continu pour faciliter la compétence en gestion de la douleur fondée sur des données probantes.

Development and Initial Evaluation of Psychometric Properties of a Pain Competence Assessment Tool (PCAT).

Competency-based education is now considered the best approach for pain educational programs provided for pre and postgraduate healthcare providers (HCPs). To demonstrate learners' progression, an assessment tool that aligns with this educational approach and targets different HCPs is needed. A Pain Competence Assessment Tool (PCAT) was developed based on the pain management core competencies that align with the International Association for the Study of Pain interprofessional pain curriculum. The PCAT is an online competency-based assessment tool for HCPs that consists of 5 case scenarios followed by 17 key-feature questions. HCPs and trainees completed the PCAT through a series of studies to assess its psychometric properties. The preliminary evaluation suggested that the PCAT had adequate content validity. Apart from 6 questions, the PCAT questions demonstrated homogeneity and acceptable reliability, and substantial stability. No ceiling or floor effect was found. A significant difference was detected between the HCPs' and trainees' scores. The PCAT scores strongly correlated with other variables reflecting different competence levels. The PCAT scores showed significant changes in the baseline scores compared to scores after attending an educational intervention. The PCAT offers a first-of-its-kind tool for assessing HCPs' competence (ie, knowledge and its application) in managing chronic pain. Future research is needed for further validation and adaptation of the PCAT. PERSPECTIVE: The Pain Competence Assessment Tool (PCAT) offers a first-of-its-kind tool for assessing clinicians' core competencies that overlap between different professions and support the clinicians' capacity to successfully manage chronic pain in the real world focusing on the patient-centered perspective rather than the profession-specific perspective.

Examination of psychological risk factors for chronic pain following cardiac surgery: protocol for a prospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 400 000 Americans and 36 000 Canadians undergo cardiac surgery annually, and up to 56% will develop chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP). The primary aim of this study is to explore the association of pain-related beliefs and gender-based pain expectations on the development of CPSP. Secondary goals are to: (A) explore risk factors for poor functional status and patient-level cost of illness from a societal perspective up to 12 months following cardiac surgery; and (B) determine the impact of CPSP on quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) borne by cardiac surgery, in addition to the incremental cost for one additional QALY gained, among those who develop CPSP compared with those who do not. METHODS AND ANALYSES: In this prospective cohort study, 1250 adults undergoing cardiac surgery, including coronary artery bypass grafting and open-heart procedures, will be recruited over a 3-year period. Putative risk factors for CPSP will be captured prior to surgery, at postoperative day 3 (in hospital) and day 30 (at home). Outcome data will be collected via telephone interview at 6-month and 12-month follow-up. We will employ generalised estimating equations to model the primary (CPSP) and secondary outcomes (function and cost) while adjusting for prespecified model covariates. QALYs will be estimated by converting data from the Short Form-12 (version 2) to a utility score. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol has been approved by the responsible bodies at each of the hospital sites, and study enrolment began May 2015. We will disseminate our results through CardiacPain.Net, a web-based knowledge dissemination platform, presentation at international conferences and publications in scientific journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01842568.

Just how much does it cost? A cost study of chronic pain following cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to determine use of pain-related health care resources and associated direct and indirect costs over a two-year period in cardiac surgery patients who developed chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP). METHODS: This multicentric observational prospective study recruited patients prior to cardiac surgery; these patients completed research assistant-administered questionnaires on pain and psychological characteristics at 6, 12 and 24 months post-operatively. Patients reporting CPSP also completed a one-month pain care record (PCR) (self-report diary) at each follow-up. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multivariable logistic regression models, and generalized linear models with log link and gamma family adjusting for sociodemographic and pain intensity. RESULTS: Out of 1,247 patients, 18%, 13%, and 9% reported experiencing CPSP at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Between 16% and 28% of CPSP patients reported utilizing health care resources for their pain over the follow-up period. Among all CPSP patients, mean monthly pain-related costs were CAN$207 at 6 months and significantly decreased thereafter. More severe pain and greater levels of pain catastrophizing were the most consistent predictors of health care utilization and costs. DISCUSSION: Health care costs associated with early management of CPSP after cardiac surgery seem attributable to a minority of patients and decrease over time for most of them. Results are novel in that they document for the first time the economic burden of CPSP in this population of patients. Longer follow-up time that would capture severe cases of CPSP as well as examination of costs associated with other surgical populations are warranted. SUMMARY: Economic burden of chronic post-surgical pain may be substantial but few patients utilize resources. Health utilization and costs are associated with pain and psychological characteristics.

Critical care nurses' pain assessment and management practices: a survey in Canada.

BACKGROUND: Regular pain assessment can lead to decreased incidence of pain and shorter durations of mechanical ventilation and stays in the intensive care unit. OBJECTIVES: To document knowledge and perceptions of pain assessment and management practices among Canadian intensive care unit nurses. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to 3753 intensive care unit nurses identified through the 12 Canadian provincial/territorial nursing associations responsible for professional regulation. RESULTS: A total of 842 nurses (24%) responded, and 802 surveys could be evaluated. Nurses were significantly less likely (P < .001) to use a pain assessment tool for patients unable to communicate (267 nurses, 33%) than for patients able to self-report (712 nurses, 89%). Significantly fewer respondents (P < .001) rated behavioral pain assessment tools as moderately to extremely important (595 nurses, 74%) compared with self-report tools (703 nurses, 88%). Routine (>50% of the time) discussion of pain scores during nursing handover was reported by 492 nurses (61%), and targeting of analgesia to a pain score or other assessment parameters by physicians by 333 nurses (42%). Few nurses (n = 235; 29%) were aware of professional society guidelines for pain assessment and management. Routine use of a behavioral pain tool was associated with awareness of published guidelines (odds ratio, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.7-3.7) and clinical availability of the tool (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.6-4.3). CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of intensive care unit nurses did not use pain assessment tools for patients unable to communicate and were unaware of pain management guidelines published by professional societies.

Older adults' postoperative pain medication usage after total knee arthroplasty: a qualitative descriptive study.

OBJECTIVE: Most total knee arthroplasty (TKA) recipients experience pain following the procedure. Patients are provided with medications to manage pain but there is little information regarding their usage of analgesics after hospital discharge. This study investigated analgesic usage in recent TKA recipients. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: A qualitative descriptive approach was taken to produce a summary of the experiences of 14 participants. Purposive sampling methods were used during recruitment. One semistructured interview was conducted with each participant. Interviewing continued until theoretical saturation was reached. RESULTS: Most participants used less medication than was prescribed and stopped taking prescription analgesics before requiring a renewal. Participants adjusted their usage in response to pain, adverse effects, advice from their family and healthcare providers, fears of becoming "hooked," and a general dislike of taking medications. CONCLUSIONS: Patient modifications to medication regimens are often labeled as patient nonadherence; however, participants in this study considered their actions to be adaptive. This conceptual distinction has practical implications for healthcare providers. These findings emphasize the importance of having TKA patients develop their pain management regimen in conjunction with healthcare providers so that regimens can be tailored to individual needs.

The Postoperative Pain Assessment Skills pilot trial.

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVES: Pain-related misbeliefs among health care professionals (HCPs) are common and contribute to ineffective postoperative pain assessment. While standardized patients (SPs) have been effectively used to improve HCPs' assessment skills, not all centres have SP programs. The present equivalence randomized controlled pilot trial examined the efficacy of an alternative simulation method - deteriorating patient-based simulation (DPS) - versus SPs for improving HCPs' pain knowledge and assessment skills. METHODS: Seventy-two HCPs were randomly assigned to a 3 h SP or DPS simulation intervention. Measures were recorded at baseline, immediate postintervention and two months postintervention. The primary outcome was HCPs' pain assessment performance as measured by the postoperative Pain Assessment Skills Tool (PAST). Secondary outcomes included HCPs knowledge of pain-related misbeliefs, and perceived satisfaction and quality of the simulation. These outcomes were measured by the Pain Beliefs Scale (PBS), the Satisfaction with Simulated Learning Scale (SSLS) and the Simulation Design Scale (SDS), respectively. Student's t tests were used to test for overall group differences in postintervention PAST, SSLS and SDS scores. One-way analysis of covariance tested for overall group differences in PBS scores. RESULTS: DPS and SP groups did not differ on post-test PAST, SSLS or SDS scores. Knowledge of pain-related misbeliefs was also similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: These pilot data suggest that DPS is an effective simulation alternative for HCPs' education on postoperative pain assessment, with improvements in performance and knowledge comparable with SP-based simulation. An equivalence trial to examine the effectiveness of deteriorating patient-based simulation versus standardized patients is warranted.

Survey of assessment and management of pain for critically ill adults.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate critical care nurses' current practice and knowledge related to pain assessment and management for critically ill adults able and unable to self-report pain. DESIGN: Cross sectional self-report survey. RESULTS: Survey response rate was 57%. Though more respondents used formal pain assessment tools often or routinely for patients able to self-report compared to patients unable to communicate (P<0.0001), there was no difference in perceived importance of pain assessment tools. Nurses were less confident in their ability to accurately assess pain for patients unable to self-report (P<0.0001). Behaviours most frequently considered routinely indicative of pain were grimacing (88/140, 62.9%), vocalisation (78/140, 55.7%) and wincing (73/140, 52.1%). Haemodynamic instability, nursing workload and patient inability to communicate were the barriers considered to interfere with pain assessment and management most frequently. Enablers to effective management included pain prioritisation, and adequate prescription of analgesia. Most respondents (118/140 84.3%) had received continuing education on topics related to pain. CONCLUSIONS: Though nurses considered pain assessment equally important for patients unable and able to selfreport, formal assessment tools were used less frequently and nurses were less confident in their ability to assess pain for patients unable to self-report.

Cost of illness for chronic stable angina patients enrolled in a self-management education trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic stable angina (CSA) is a major debilitating health problem in Canada. A paucity of relevant cardiovascular data sets has precluded a detailed examination of the impact of interventions on CSA-related costs and its broader economic burden. OBJECTIVES: As part of a larger clinical trial, the authors sought to determine the short-term impact of a standardized self-management training program on CSA-related costs. A secondary objective was to estimate the total annualized cost of CSA per patient from a societal perspective. METHODS: Pre- and three-month post-test cost data were collected on 117 participants using the Ambulatory Home Care Record. Mean annualized direct, indirect and system-related CSA costs (2003 to 2005) were estimated; total per-patient CSA costs from a societal perspective were calculated as the sum of these costs. RESULTS: The mean (+/- SD) age of participants was 68+/-11 years; 80% were male. The program did not impact costs in the short-term. Direct annual out-of-pocket costs, including money paid for health care, travel to appointments, medication, equipment and home support totaled $3,267. Indirect costs, reflecting the value of all unpaid time spent by those engaged in angina-related care, were $12,963. System costs, including costs paid by public and private insurers, were $2,979. Total estimated annual CSA costs from a societal perspective were $19,209 per patient. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that CSA imposes a major economic burden, comparable with other prevalent conditions such as chronic noncancer pain. Advancements in self-management training research are needed to help reduce the economic burden of CSA in Canada.

Examining Appreciative Inquiry as a knowledge translation intervention in pain management.

Despite a solid evidence base for pain management, pain is not always well managed in practice. Interventions to implement pain management evidence need to be shifted from a focus on individual characteristics to knowledge translation strategies that are grounded in theory and attend to the organizational context and social dimension of translating evidence into practice. The authors examine Appreciative Inquiry (AI) as an innovative knowledge translation intervention in the area of pain management in nursing. Their aims are to advance the current state of knowledge translation interventions in pain management and to examine the usefulness of potential interventions based on their congruence with theory. The theory and practice of AI are compared to the concept of knowledge translation and the elements of the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services framework. Discussion is grounded in pain management in nursing.