Learning pain assessment and management: a goal of the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium.
BACKGROUND
Relief of pain for patients requires that palliative care practitioners have knowledge and skill in both pain assessment and the use of pharmacologic and complementary therapies.


METHODS
Pain assessment and management and the teaching strategies suggested within the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium curriculum are presented.


RESULTS
By addressing the pain experienced by patients with life-limiting illnesses and those at the end of life, the quality of care can be greatly improved. As a multidimensional phenomenon that relates to physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, the relief of pain enhances the quality of life of patients and lessens the stress experienced by family caregivers.


CONCLUSIONS
The relief of pain and suffering is consistent with the philosophy and goals of nursing as a profession and is a nursing responsibility.
Sherman
Deborah Witt
DW
Advanced Practice Palliative Care Master's and Post-Master's Programs, Division of Nursing, New York University, New York, New York 10003-6677, USA.
Matzo
Marianne LaPorte
ML
Paice
Judith A
JA
McLaughlin
Maureen
M
Virani
Rose
R
D000004:Abbreviations as Topic; D000700:Analgesics / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003479:Curriculum; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005181:Faculty, Nursing; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D018579:Patient Selection; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D014146:Training Support
D000700:Analgesics