The prevalence and perception of pain amongst hospital in-patients

The aim of this paper is to describe the prevalence and perceptions of pain and pain management amongst hospital in-patients, A cross-sectional descriptive survey of 205 patients was conducted, Presence and severity of pain was assessed using verbal descriptor and visu al analogue scales, and perceptions of pain mere assessed using multi-item scales. Although the severity of pain reported was consistent across age groups and clinical areas, women in the study sample were significantly more likely t o report high levels of pain than men. Differences in how men and women communicate their pain mere observed, with women indicating that they were less willing to ask for help with their pa in. Results suggest that pain continues to be an important problem for a large number of men and women in hospital, and that the experience of pain impact s negatively upon their well-being. Gender differences in the experience of and response to pain remain importa nt considerations for clinical nurses who have major responsibilities for t he management of pain in hospitalized patients.