Nurses’ perception of uncertainty regarding suspected pain in people with dementia: A qualitative descriptive study

Abstract

Objectives This study aims to qualitatively examine nurses’ perception of uncertainty regarding suspected pain in people with dementia (PWD). Design The study utilized a qualitative descriptive design. Participants The participants in this study were nurses with a minimum of six months of experience caring for PWD and currently working in a university hospital in Irbid, Jordan. Twenty-five participants were selected using convenience sampling from the selected hospital. Results Four major themes and 12 subthemes relating to nurses’ perceptions of uncertainty regarding suspected pain in PWD emerged. The main themes were (a) the culture-bound nature of uncertainty regarding suspected pain in PWD, (b) dimensions of uncertainty regarding suspected pain in PWD, (c) indicators of uncertainty regarding suspected pain in PWD, and (d) assessment methods of uncertainty to suspected pain in PWD. Moreover, for each major theme, different subthemes were developed. Conclusions It is crucial to address factors influencing -nurses’ uncertainty regarding suspected pain in PWD to improve pain assessment and management in PWD. Additionally, the study identified five indicators of uncertainty: complicated decision-making, knowledge deficit, bias, intuition, and misconceptions. Effective assessment methods, such as semi-structured interviews and simulated assessments, should be employed to evaluate uncertainty accurately. By addressing these issues and utilizing appropriate assessment approaches, healthcare professionals can enhance pain management for individuals with dementia.