Pain Management: Patient Education Resource Manual (2nd Ed.)
Eleftheria T. Karapas (Consulting Editor) Aspen Publishers, Inc., 200 Orchard Ridge Dr., Suite 200, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, (800) 638-8437, 2001, 3 ring binder, ISBN 0-8342-1941-7, $199.00.
More than a revised edition, this updated publication is a comprehensive resource manual addressing pain, which has recently been labeled as the "fifth vital sign." Serving as a patient resource and to some degree a clinical guide, this manual provides an extensive volume of patient teaching assessment and instructional material devoted to the management of pain. From a clinical perspective and with the goal of facilitating learning, the editors and contributors have created a useful guide to aid practitioners in the assessment and management of acute and chronic pain. In doing so, the authors stress the importance of diversity in providing individualized, timely, and appropriate care.
Complete with 12 chapters, an appendix, and an index, each section is organized into content devoted to patient information and practitioner reference. Chapter 1 is directed to patient teaching and learning. Healthcare educators will be drawn to this segment of the manual as it includes many familiar pedagogical concepts and principles. Of particular note in this section are valuable tips for addressing the learning, visually, and hearing impaired patient.
Chapters 2 and 3 are devoted to understanding and assessing pain. Complete with illustrations, information is presented on the nature and physiology of pain. Assessment tools to assist patients in communicating questions and concerns related to pain and discomfort are provided for future use. Emphasizing the importance of diversity, the chapter on assessment describes interventions and standards for managing pain of cognitively impaired individuals.
The focus of Chapters 4 and 5 is the pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment of pain. The major categories of pain medications and their side effects are discussed. Patient education resource material is included, addressing the use of over-the-counter medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, and medications delivered by anesthesia. Guided imagery and relaxation and music therapy are described as alternate approaches to managing pain.
Defining, clarifying, and managing acute, chronic, and cancer pain are the themes for Chapters 6, 7, and 8. Each of these chapters offers current and in-depth patient information, but the segment devoted to chronic pain offers an impressive overview of some of the more commonly occurring healthcare disorders. Chronic problems such as back pain, headaches, arthritis, and fibromyalgia are discussed at length with emphasis placed on current treatment and the prevention of long-term disabilities.
Chapters 9 and 10 are directed to the management of pain in the pediatric, adolescent, and geriatric populations. Sickle cell anemia and otitis media are discussed in the pediatric chapter. Highlighted in Chapter 10 is the management of pain in long-term care facilities, a healthcare setting all too often overlooked.
The remaining two chapters complete this well-written resource guide. Chapter 11 offers guidelines on managing stress and empowering oneself in managing pain. Rounding off this chapter are financial tips for individuals living with chronic pain. Acknowledging the contributions of family, valuable guidelines for caregivers of pain sufferers are also included. The final chapter is devoted to quality improvement. This clinically oriented chapter offers a listing and discussion regarding the recent Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations standards and clinician expectations for managing patient pain. Examples of clinical practice competencies, pain management protocols, and organizational assessment tools are provided and cited as quality improvement strategies available for use in healthcare settings.
Major features of the text include recognition of diversity as a critical factor in patient care. Patient handouts have been prepared in English and Spanish as well as for individuals reading at the third and sixth grade levels. Healthcare professionals can personalize the patient handouts through the accompanying CD-ROM. An additional strength includes a six and a half page alphabetized appendix that provides community resource information devoted to pain management. Each listing is complete with address, telephone, and electronic contact numbers.
Aside from the redundancy among chapters, this is an excellent resource for nurses actively involved in pain management. It serves as a practical guide that is current and user-friendly in today's quality-driven, customer service-focused organizations.