Exploring the obstacles of nurses not using pain assessment tools in newborns hospitalized in NICUs.

 Effective assessment of pain in newborns leads to correct pain management and therefore the outcome of the treatment will be more favorable. However, despite significant advances in neonatal care, there are still barriers to pain assessment and interventions in hospitalized infants. 
The purpose of this study is to explore the barriers to pain assessment and measurement by nurses working in neonatal intensive care units.

In this qualitative study, a content analysis approach was used. Nurses working in neonatal intensive care units of Tehran and Karaj hospitals, who had more than 6 months of work experience and were willing to cooperate, were included in the study. In-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data. Qualitative data analysis was done using MAXQDA software version 2016.

 Fourteen nurses working in neonatal intensive care units participated in this study. Interviews were conducted until data saturation. The results of the data analysis led to the emergence of four main categories "Increased Workload ", "Discordant Atmosphere", "Soulless care" and "lack of awareness" and eleven sub-categories.

This study will significantly contribute to future research by elucidating barriers to neonatal pain assessment. Based on the findings of this study, researchers can provide targeted interventions, comprehensive training programs, and clear guidelines to improve the quality of neonatal care.