Article Text
Abstract
Nurses are involved in many of the painful procedures performed on hospitalized children. In collaboration with physicians, nurses have an exceptional responsibility to have knowledge to manage the pain; however, the evidence indicates this is not being done. Issues may be twofold: opportunities to improve knowledge of better pain care practices and/or ability to use knowledge. Empirical evidence is available that, if used by health care providers, can reduce pain in hospitalized children. Theory guided interventions are necessary to focus resources designated for learning and knowledge translation initiatives in the area of pain care.
Objective This paper presents the Knowledge Use in Pain Care (KUPC) conceptual model that blends concepts from the fields of knowledge utilization and work life context, including human resource management which are believed to influence the translation of knowledge to practice. The four main components in the KUPC model include those related to the organization, the individual nurse, the individual patient and the sociopolitical context. The KUPC model was conceptualized to account for the complex circumstances surrounding nurse’s knowledge uptake and use in the context of pain care.
Conclusion The model provides a framework for healthcare administrators, clinical leaders and researchers to consider as they decide how to intervene to increase knowledge use to reduce painful experiences of children in hospital.