ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study was done to describe level of knowledge and performance of pain management by nurses in general hospitals. METHODS: The study was conducted from August 1 to 28, 2014 with 141 nurses from a general hospital in B city. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient with SPSS 20.0. RESULTS: Average correct response rate for knowledge was 62.7%, indicating poor knowledge of pain management. Mean score for knowledge of pain management was 31.33+/-3.24 out of 50(general knowledge about pain 14.02+/-2.18 out of 20, knowledge on use of analgesics 9.21+/-1.97 out of 20, knowledge on analgesic classification 8.16+/-1.00 out of 10). Mean score for performance of pain management was 3.19+/-.44 out of 4. There was significant difference in knowledge of pain management by age. Performance of pain management differed significantly according to age and type of working unit. No significant relationship was found between knowledge and performance of pain management. CONCLUSION: These findings show that nurses who have good knowledge do not always have good performance of pain management. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new strategies to promote performance as well as continued pain management education to increase ability of nurses to manage pain.