Abstract
One aim of the current study was to ascertain the status of implementation of pain assessment,
methods of pain assessment, the realities of pain management nursing, and satisfaction and
difficulties with that nursing. Another aim was to determine the relationship between those factors
and the quality of nursing. Two hundred and ninety-four nurses who provided nursing care for
patients with musculoskeletal disease at 15 medical facilities with Orthopedics wards or outpatient
clinics completed a self-administered questionnaire. Results indicated that pain was assessed out 1-3
times a day, and a faces scale was often used to assess pain. Ninety percent or more of the nurses
experienced difficulties in assessing the pain of the elderly and 80% or more of the nurses responded
that they lacked confidence in their ability to assess pain. Fifty percent or more of the nurses were not
satisfied with pain management nursing. For nurses, confidence and satisfaction were significantly
correlated with the quality of nursing. In addition, only around 20% of the nurses had attended
training sessions on pain. The above findings suggest that nurses need opportunities to train. That
training will take the characteristics of elderly patients into account and allow nurses to acquire
knowledge and skills to provide pain management nursing to patients with a musculoskeletal
disorder.
