Do nurses feel equipped? A study on pain management in Eastern Saudi Arabia

Objective. To explore nurses’ knowledge and attitudes towards pain management in hospitals in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern region. Material and methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 389 nurses across three hospitals in June and July 2024 using a validated questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed nurses’ sociodemographic information, knowledge, and attitudes toward pain management. Reliability and feasibility were confirmed through pilot testing, and ethical approval was obtained. Data were analyzed using SPSS v. 25. Results. While most nurses had some pain management training, significant knowledge gaps existed (mean score 16.22/30). Attitudes were generally positive (mean score 3.76 on a 5-point Likert scale), with experience and age positively correlating with knowledge. Renal dialysis unit nurses had the highest knowledge mean score, while medical and surgical nurses held the least favorable views. Conclusion. Despite some training, many nurses lack sufficient knowledge of pain management. Enhanced education programs are needed, particularly for less experienced staff and those in high-demand departments.