Intertemporal Improvement in Physicians’ Perceptions of the Short-Term Adverse Outcomes of Neonatal Pain: Results of a Two-Time-Point National Survey
Eleni Agakidou,
Angeliki Kontou,
Theodora Stathopoulou,
Maria Farini,
Agathi Thomaidou,
Konstantina Tsoni,
William Chotas,
Kosmas Sarafidis
Affiliations
Eleni Agakidou
Department of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokrateion General Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
Angeliki Kontou
Department of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokrateion General Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
Theodora Stathopoulou
Department of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokrateion General Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
Maria Farini
Department of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokrateion General Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
Agathi Thomaidou
Department of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokrateion General Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
Konstantina Tsoni
Department of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokrateion General Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
William Chotas
Department of Neonatology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
Kosmas Sarafidis
Department of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokrateion General Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
Pain in early life may seriously impact neonatal outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate whether the perceptions of physicians working in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of the short-term adverse outcomes associated with neonatal pain have changed over a 20-year period. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 117 and 145 neonatologists, pediatricians, and fellows working in level III NICUs in 2000 (T1) and 2019 (T2), respectively. The questionnaire consisted of four domains, including the central nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, as well as “other systems” (metabolic/endocrine system, growth, and general condition), with 21 total items overall. Although the proportion of positive (correct) responses to the total and system-specific domain scores was significantly higher at T2 than T1, the knowledge of certain short-term adverse outcomes was suboptimal even at T2. Adjustment for cofactors confirmed the independent association of the survey time-point with the total and system-specific domain scores. Moreover, NICU type was an independent significant factor associated with the adjusted total and central nervous system scores, while young doctors had a better knowledge of adverse cardiovascular effects. Conclusions: The perceptions of NICU physicians concerning the short-term outcomes associated with neonatal pain have significantly improved over the past 20 years, although remaining knowledge gaps mandate ongoing efforts to achieve an improvement in neonatal care.
