Completed Research Project
Using action research as a model of research utilisation to improve pain assessment and management
Investigators: Williams
AM, Griffiths G, Goucke
R, Oldham L & Kristjanson
LJ.
Funding: Edith Cowan University Industry Collaborative
Scheme and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital ($31,758)
Administering institution: Edith Cowan University
Abstract: This study aimed to develop a new
model of research utilisation for health care that could be used
for multiple practices to improve the quality of patient care.
The action research method was used to introduce a protocol
directed at improving pain assessment and management in four
acute care hospital wards. Changes were introduced, monitored
and adjusted using data from qualitative interviews with 19 members
of staff and audits of the documentation of 468 patients. The
strategies found to promote change were: a planned, coordinated
educational program (delivered using a variety of methods) focussing
on three changes in pain assessment and management; regular monitoring
of the changes introduced; the establishment of pathways for
communication and feedback between the project team and the
ward team; the use of reminders and prompts; and the use of a
clinical champion for pain.
Action research was found to be a useful method to utilise in the implementation of change. The model for change developed through this project successfully changed three of the usual practices for pain assessment and management in each of the study wards. However, the model of change developed in this project was only found to be effective in terms of changing the practice of nurses. It did not adequately address the management of change in other members of the health care team. A number of issues regarding pain assessment and management requiring further investigation were also identified.
