Infants in pain can’t describe the severity of their discomfort, but NICU nurses can e-learn how to gauge pain degrees according to standardized scales, allowing for prompt and appropriate pain-relief interventions.
Researchers at Hiroshima University in Japan proved the concept when they developed a virtual training program and tested it on 115 nurses from seven hospitals in pre- and post-test exercises.
Around half the cohort completed the e-course, and they significantly outperformed their untrained peers. The effect held regardless of levels of experience and education.
The work is described in a research report published by Advances in Neonatal Care.
Mio Ozawa, PhD, RN, and colleagues conclude that their virtually delivered program, e-Pain Management of Neonates, “can be useful for nurses’ attainment of knowledge and skills for managing neonatal pain, including an appropriate use of selected scoring tools.”
At the same time, they note, more research is need to find out “how organizational unit attendance rate for e-learning and posttest results are related to patient outcomes.”
In coverage of the research from the university’s news and information division, Ozawa comments on the rationale for the pilot project:
“Despite a growing body of knowledge and guidelines being published in many countries about the preventions and management of pain in neonates hospitalized in the NICU,” she says, “neonatal pain remains unrecognized, undertreated and generally challenging.”
News item here, study here (behind paywall).
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.