Date of Conferral
2020
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Corinne Wheeler
Abstract
Opioids, once considered the cure-all for most pain ailments (acute or chronic), have developed into one of the current largest epidemics. Many contributing factors have led to the opioid crisis, but providers have played a significant role in creating this epidemic. Therefore, this project involved constructing a staff education program for providers to present evidence-based practices (EBPs) that are less addictive pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods for managing nonmalignant pain in an ambulatory clinic. The adult learning theory was used to facilitate the learning process, and logic models were used to guide the process. The topics in the education program included the background of the opioid epidemic, definition of pain, description of various types of pain, alternative nonpharmacological and pharmacological treatment for pain, and prevention methods. Three team members were recruited from 1 ambulatory clinic. Pretests were administered before the education program, and posttests were given after to assess the providers’ knowledge of treating nonmalignant pain. After the tests were analyzed using Microsoft Excel, the results revealed that the providers were knowledgeable about using EBPs when treating nonmalignant pain, with all participants scoring 100%. Additionally, results from revealed improvements in other areas. Positive social change is possible as providers change their prescriptive habits for treating nonmalignant pain by reducing the number of prescriptions for opioids.
Recommended Citation
McClain, Gerald M., "Development of a Staff Education Project on Managing Patients with Nonmalignant Pain" (2020). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 8309.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/8309
