Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Diane Whitehead

Abstract

Pain is a common symptom in healthcare settings, especially among patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD). AD patients have cognitive and communication impairment making it difficult or impossible for them to communicate their pain to their caregivers or healthcare practitioners. The purpose of this project was to implement a staff education program for healthcare professionals on evidence-based practices for assessing, recognizing, and managing pain in patients with AD. The practice-focused question explored if a staff education program on identification, assessment, and management of pain in patients with AD improves the staff's knowledge, skills, and attitude towards timely and effective pain assessment management. This project was implemented in a 50-bed nursing home. Fourteen healthcare staff participated in the education program. Data on the participants’ skills, knowledge, and attitudes in assessing, caring, and managing pain in patients with AD were measured using the knowledge and attitude survey regarding pain (KASRP) tool. The KASRP score following the execution of the staff education program indicated an improvement in all areas. The mean score on the pretest was 28 (71.79% correct) and the mean score on the posttest 35 (89.74% correct). There was a significant difference in the score on the KASRP pretest (m = 28, SD = 4.772) and the KASRP tool posttest (m = 35, SD = 2.680) conditions, t(27) = -12.11, p = .05. These results suggest that training health workers on recognizing, identifying, assessing, and managing pain in patients with AD can enhance their skills, knowledge, and positive attitude in assessing and treating pain in this patient population and promote positive social change for patients, families, and caregivers.

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