AMANDA ZIMMERMAN, PA-C | WEST FORSYTH PAIN MANAGEMENT, CLEMMONS, NC

THERESA MALLICK-SEARLE, NP | STANFORD HEALTH CARE, DIVISION PAIN MEDICINE, REDWOOD CITY, CA, CO-CHAIR APRN/PAS IN PAIN MEDICINE SIG AAPM

HEATHER JACKSON, PHD, APRN, NEA-BC, FAANP | VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, NASHVILLE, TN, DIVISION OF HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY, CHAIR NP/PA/RN SIG ASRA

PURPOSE

This survey is the first attempt to

assess pain education for advanced

practice registered nurses (APRNs)

and physician associates (PAs) as

reported by novice and experienced

clinicians and present the opportunity

to enhance pain management training

for future clinicians.

 

BACKGROUND

 

Current evidence suggests a gap

in pain management education for

physicians.1-6 The Institute of

Medicine7 and the National Pain

Strategy8 have called for better

training for all health care clinicians.

There is a lack of information

known about the education in pain

management care provided in

primary APRN and PA training, and

how prepared these clinicians are

to provide basic pain management

after graduation.9-10

 

METHODS

 

A Descriptive Survey Design was employed; ten survey

questions were formulated and disseminated among

APRNs/PAs nationwide.

A brief (10 question) survey was administered online to

APRNs and PAs nationwide using various databases to

ensure diversity.

 

RESULTS

 

Of the 470 respondents, 276 (58%) were APRNs and 194

(41%) were PAs, representing 47 states, D.C., Canada, and the

Netherlands, with 57% practicing for 5+ years.

248 respondents (53%) report they spend at least 50%

clinical time managing pain. Of those, 165 work in a pain

management or palliative care specialty. The remainder work

in other specialties, with the majority working in family/

internal medicine.

The majority of respondents (75%) report <5 hours of pain

management education within primary training; in

comparison to U.S. medical schools 11 hours.4

Predominant education was performed “on the job” and

through self-directed professional development opportunities

In preparation to care for patients with basic chronic or acute

pain management needs, 66% felt “neutral or unprepared” in

their first year in clinical practice.

APRNs and PAs reported low

confidence and perceived competence

in providing pain management in acute

and chronic settings during the first

year of practice. Initial findings call for

transformation within APRN and PA

education as well as specialty, pain

management training.