Health professionals' pain management decisions are influenced by their role (nurse or physician) and by patient gender, age and ethnicity

Evid Based Nurs. 2015 Apr;18(2):58. doi: 10.1136/eb-2014-101917. Epub 2014 Aug 13.

Abstract

Implications for practice and research: Healthcare providers from different fields may respond differently to patients with pain. On average, nurses rated pain intensity higher than physicians and were more likely to prescribe opioids. Patient demographic characteristics may influence nurses' and physicians' perceptions of pain intensity and decisions to treat pain with opioid analgesics. This study must be replicated with a more robust study design before findings can be translated into recommendations for intervention.

Keywords: PAIN MANAGEMENT.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Decision Making*
  • Female
  • Health Personnel*
  • Humans
  • Internet*
  • Male
  • Pain Management / methods*
  • Population Groups*
  • Sex Factors*