Nurses’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Barriers Toward Pain Management Among Postoperative Patients in Jordan

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and barriers regarding pain management (PM) of postoperative patients in Jordan. Design: A descriptive survey research design was used. Methods: This descriptive study adopted a modified version of the “Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain” tool, administered to 120 nurses working in surgical wards. Findings: Nurses had inadequate knowledge of PM, with a mean knowledge score of 63.9%. Knowledge of PM and attitudes toward PM were associated positively with the age of the participant (P =.001), years of experience in the surgical area (P =.026), and academic degree of participants (P =.026). Conclusions: Surgical nurses in this study had low knowledge levels and poor attitudes regarding PM in postoperative patients. Unless identified barriers to PM are seriously addressed, this vital aspect of holistic care will continue to be marginalized.