Nurses' Assessments Versus Patients' Self-Assessments of Postoperative Pain: Knowledge and Skills of Nurses for Effective Pain Management.

Postoperative pain is the most common form of acute pain. Nurses contribute to effective pain management with their knowledge and skills. The aims of this research were to examine differences between nurses' assessments and patients' self-assessments of postoperative pain, differences in the mentioned (self) assessments with respect to characteristics of both groups of respondents, and the correlation between the NRS and the VRS scale. The study included 103 nurses employed at a hospital and 103 patients treated in the surgical departments after the surgical procedures. Data were collected using the standardized Numerical rating scale (NRS) and Verbal rating score (VRS). The median of patients' self-assessments of pain intensity on the NRS scale was 4, while the nursing assessment of patients' pain was 3, with no significant difference (p = 0.083). No significant differences were found on the VRS scale between nurse assessments and patient self-assessments of current pain intensity. The pain was described as moderate by 35% of participants, including 35.9% nurses and 35% patients. Significant positive correlations were recorded between values on the VRS and NRS scales for nurses (Rho = 0.812; p < 0.001) and patients (Rho = 0.830; p < 0.001). The results of this study may have implications for the improvement of postoperative pain management protocols, with regular use of pain assessment scales and individualization of analgesic prescriptions.

Ability of Emotional Regulation and Control as a Stress Predictor in Healthcare Professionals.

Emotional Regulation and Control implies a person's ability to respond to stressful demands and emotional experiences in a socially acceptable and adaptive way. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the contribution of the ability of emotional regulation and control in the prediction of workplace stress in healthcare professionals. The study included 203 healthcare professionals employed at a hospital in the Republic of Croatia. Data were collected using two validated questionnaires: Questionnaire on Workplace Stressors for Hospital Professionals and Emotional Regulation and Control Questionnaire (ERC). Most respondents (64%) experienced stress in Workplace Organization and Financial Issues factor, while 52.7% experienced stress in Public Criticism factor. The respondents assessed their ability of emotional regulation and control to be low (mean = 55; range = 20−100). The level of experienced stress was significantly higher if the ability of emotional regulation and control was low (Spearman's Rho = 0.308; p < 0.001). The multivariate regression model (11.2% explained variances; p = 0.001) indicated a greater possibility of severe stress in respondents who have stronger Memory of Emotionally Saturated Content (odds ratio = 1.18; 95% CI = 1.07−1.30). The results of this study signify the need to establish effective institutional support aimed at objectifying stress and strengthening emotional intelligence and empathy in healthcare professionals.