Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Barbara Niedz

Abstract

Chronic pain is pain that lasts longer than 12 weeks, affects an individual physically in some mental or psychological way, influences an individual’s job performance, and may create a social complication over time. Ensuring the best possible care for the patient’s pain with the least possible complications is the responsibility of the health care provider, including nurse practitioners. Providing a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the management of chronic pain in the primary care setting was the focus of this project. The comfort theory model was used as a framework for this project as well as the basis of nursing professional development regarding the management of chronic pain. The clinical guideline was shared with a local primary care practice in the rural south and presented to an expert panel made up of 4 participants for their review and approval to fully implement the guideline. The expert panel was comprised of 2 primary care providers, a pain management specialist and a medical doctor who specializes in older adults and medication. The AGREE II 23 item instrument and a qualitative process were used to evaluate the potential effectiveness of the CPG from the experts. The panel agreed that the CPG was soundly derived, based on latest research evidence, and is ready for implementation in a primary care clinic or office practice. Recommendations included the need for education at the practice level and an immediate implementation of the CPG. Potential positive social outcomes will be potentially realized by improved continuity of care, decreased adverse medication reactions, decreased use of opioid medications, increased compliance with patient medication regimen, and a stronger patient-provider relationship.

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