title: Identifying barriers to pain management in long-term care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to identify barriers to optimal pain management in long-term care (LTC) from a nursing perspective.
  
  
  METHODS
  A quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive design was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patient-related barriers were seen as interfering more often with optimal pain management than organisational-related or caregiver-related barriers. Difficulty assessing pain due to problems with cognition, older patients' inability to complete pain scales and communication difficulties as a result of sensory impairment were common barriers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A targeted approach to address the identified barriers would help improve pain management practices in LTC.
authors.affiliation: Community nursing unit, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Egan
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cornally
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D059408:Pain Management