Date of Award
Summer 2025
Project Type
Thesis
College or School
CHHS
Department
Nursing
Departments (Collect)
Nursing
Program or Major
Direct Entry Master of Nursing
Degree Name
Master of Science
First Advisor
Jordan Lavallee, MSN, RN, CNL
Second Advisor
Pamela Kallmerten PhD, DNP, RN, CNL
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Pain management in medical-surgical microsystems is complex, with many patients experiencing acute and chronic pain that can be difficult to control. Nurses often receive limited continuing education on integrative and comprehensive pain management strategies, highlighting a need to improve their knowledge and attitudes toward evidence-based, multimodal approaches.
Local Problem: Nurses in this 38-bed medical-surgical microsystem identified a gap in education related to integrative pain management strategies. This may lead to a reliance on pharmacological interventions and missed opportunities for holistic, patient-centered care
Methods: A 25-day quality improvement project was conducted using an asynchronous educational PowerPoint on integrative pain management. Pre- and post-intervention surveys, adapted from the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (KASRP), assessed changes in nurses’ knowledge, confidence, and perceptions. Optional open-ended questions gathered additional feedback.
Results: Of the 46 nurses invited, 26 completed the pre-survey and 9 completed the post-survey. Post-intervention results showed a modest 5% overall improvement in knowledge and attitudes, with notable increases in confidence discussing integrative therapies (from 60% to 89%) and comfort referring patients to complementary services (from 65% to 78%).
Conclusions: This quality improvement project demonstrated that targeted educational interventions can improve nurses’ confidence and knowledge regarding integrative pain management, which supports patient-centered care. With leadership support and thoughtful integration into workflows, this approach has potential for sustainability and broader application across inpatient settings.
Keywords: Quality Improvement, Patient Outcomes, Attitudes, Knowledge, Pain, Integrative, Medical-surgical, Nursing, PDSA Cycle
Recommended Citation
Hamilton, Samantha, "Improving Nurse Knowledge and Attitudes Through Education on Integrative Pain Management in a Medical-Surgical Unit: A Quality Improvement Project" (2025). Master's Theses and Capstones. 1947.
https://scholars.unh.edu/thesis/1947