[Physicians' attitudes toward pain in newborn infants. Preliminary results of a cross-sectional national survey].
BACKGROUND
Since 1980s, the problem of pain experienced by newborns has met with increasing interest both in research work and in clinical practice. It is worth noting that significant progress in neurophysiologic basis of pain and in diagnostic and therapeutic methods have occurred during that time.


OBJECTIVE
This study primarily aims at describing opinions of the doctors who work in the neonatal wards and neonatal intensive care units in Poland regarding the management of pain in newborns.


METHODS
The respondents of this survey were heads (or persons appointed by them) of 302 neonatal and paediatric intensive care hospital wards, in Poland. The questionnaire prepared for this purpose was used.


RESULTS
The respondents demonstrated that essentially they possessed correct knowledge regarding the neurophysiology of pain, the diagnostic and therapeutic methods used in the management of pain in the newborns. The majority of respondents claimed that adequate pain management was used in their daily practice. They felt responsible for the parents' health education concerning the problem of pain in newborns. On the other hand, they complain about the lack of adequate training courses for physicians regarding this subject matter.


CONCLUSIONS
It is recommended to organize specialized courses for doctors regarding pain in the newborn, and, in particular, regarding the principles of using opioids in the pain management of newborns.
Jadamus-Niebrój
Danuta
D
Klinika Intensywnej Terapii i Patologii Noworodka, Slaskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Katowicach, Katowice.
Zejda
Jan E
JE
Niebrój
Lesław
L
Brozek
Grzegorz
G
Swietliński
Janusz
J
Musialik-Swietlińska
Ewa
E
Migdał
Marek
M
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D059408:Pain Management; D010820:Physicians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011044:Poland; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires