The assessment and management of pain in patients with dementia in hospital settings: a multi-case exploratory study from a decision making perspective.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pain is often poorly managed in people who have a dementia. Little is known about how this patient population is managed in hospital, with research to date focused mainly on care homes. This study aimed to investigate how pain is recognised, assessed and managed in patients with dementia in a range of acute hospital wards, to inform the development of a decision support tool to improve pain management for this group.

Methods

A qualitative, multi-site exploratory case study. Data were collected in four hospitals in England and Scotland. Methods included non-participant observations, audits of patient records, semi-structured interviews with staff and carers, and analysis of hospital ward documents. Thematic analysis was performed through the lens of decision making

SUBMITTER: Lichtner V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4995653 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature