Comparison of the Nurse's and Patient's Perception on Quality of Pain Control in Patients under Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

Pain control is a major challenge for nurses. Nurses need to be skilled in pain assessment and its relief and be able to perceive patient`s expectations or misinterpretations. With regard to importance of congruence between patient and nurses perception on pain control, this study was conducted with the aim of comparison of nurses and patient's perception on quality of pain control in patient under coronary artery bypass graft. This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 108 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft, and nurses that were responsible of care of them in Dr. Heshmat Hospital of Rasht in 2011. Data was gathered by a 3-part tool consisted of demographic data questionnaire, standard questionnaire of pain control and numeric rating scale for patient satisfaction. Sampling was done by sequential method Data were gathered by observing the patient's medical record information and interviewing with patients and their nurses. Gathered data was analyzed by descriptive and inferential (Anova, Spearman, T-test and Wilcoxon) statistical tests in SPSS v.16. Findings revealed that, mean of perception on total pain related care and all of its subsets, exception of environment subset, in nurses was significantly higher than patients (p<0.001). Also, the mean of nurse's perception on patient's satisfaction of pain control was significantly higher than patient's perception. (p<0.028). The significant differences between patients’ and nurses’ perceptions of pain control in this research highlights the need for special planning in the aim of standardization of pain control and improving protocols for effective nurse-patient relationship and proper perception of patient`s needs by nurses.