Journal article
Implementation of a multidimensional pain competency education program for neonatal healthcare professionals to translate pain knowledge into clinical practice: A mixed methods study
Nurse education today, Vol.152, 106767
09/2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2025.106767
PMID: 40460671
Abstract
Under treatment of pain in neonates is an international problem, which is often due to inadequate education of healthcare professionals. Determining strategies to effectively improve clinical pain knowledge to promote the skills and practices of neonatal healthcare professionals is imperative.
To develop a multidimensional pain competency education program and to evaluate its effect on neonatal healthcare professionals' pain management knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, behaviors, as well as on neonatology department’ pain management practice.
A mixed-methods design.
A total of 110 neonatal healthcare professionals (physicians 24, nurses 86) attended the education program, and 44 (physicians 8, nurses 36) completed the follow-up survey.
The multidimensional pain competency education program was developed as a two-day curriculum, followed by online thematic intensive trainings and ongoing practical support over the following three months. Evaluation of the training effects followed Kirkpatrick's model, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection methods at baseline (T1), after the two-day curriculum (T2), and after completing the education program (T3).
Results showed neonatal healthcare professionals' satisfaction with the education program was rated 2.64 out of 3, which reflects reaction level of Kirkpatrick's model. And at learning level, the pain management knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy scores of the neonatal healthcare professionals at T2 and T3 were significantly higher than T1 (P < 0.05). At behavior level, significantly more neonatal healthcare professionals used topical analgesics and non-pharmacological interventions to prevent and relieve pain at T3 compared to T1 (P < 0.05). At results level, a significantly higher number of key liaison neonatology departments have used or plan to use a neonatal pain assessment scale, have established or plan to establish a process for neonatal operative pain assessment and management, and other outcomes. (P < 0.05). Two themes (Benefit from learning and Training feedback) and eight sub-themes were identified from reflection writing about their experience of this education program.
The multidimensional pain competency education program for neonatal healthcare professionals can improve the level of pain management knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy and behaviors of neonatal healthcare professionals, and promote the change of pain management practice in the neonatology department.
•The multidimensional pain education program was developed based on the Interprofessional Consensus of Core Competencies for Pain Management and literature on neonatal pain. This foundation was further enriched through semi-structured interviews and expert group meetings.•The multidimensional pain education program that incorporated knowledge, skills and implementation strategies improved neonatal healthcare professionals' competency in pain management and helped address the persistent gap between knowledge and practice in clinical settings.•The interprofessional pain education was implemented, which was conducive to later cooperation to improve the quality of neonatal pain management.•The Kirkpatrick's model was used for the training program evaluation, which provide a systematic evaluation framework as both quantitative and qualitative data were collected during the assessment.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Implementation of a multidimensional pain competency education program for neonatal healthcare professionals to translate pain knowledge into clinical practice: A mixed methods study
- Creators
- Jingxia Chen - Southern Medical UniversityMenglian Xie - Southern Medical UniversitySiya Lin - Southern Medical UniversityChunxia Zhong - Southern Medical UniversityBin Wang - Southern Medical UniversityShuanghuan Zheng - Southern Medical UniversityFangming Li - Southern Medical UniversityHuali Xu - Southern Medical UniversityKeela Herr - University of IowaElyse L. Laures - University of IowaLi Li - Southern Medical University
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Nurse education today, Vol.152, 106767
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.nedt.2025.106767
- PMID
- 40460671
- NLM abbreviation
- Nurse Educ Today
- ISSN
- 0260-6917
- eISSN
- 1532-2793
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Grant note
- IASP Developing Countries Initiative for Pain Education
This education project was supported by the IASP Developing Countries Initiative for Pain Education.
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 05/01/2025
- Date published
- 09/2025
- Academic Unit
- Nursing
- Record Identifier
- 9984820570702771
Metrics
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