Home care for patients with opioid use disorders: A qualitative study of registered nurses' experiences of pain management

Abstract

Abstract Aim To explore registered nurses' experiences with pain management in patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) in home care. Design Qualitative explorative‐descriptive design. Methods Data were collected via nine individual semi‐structured interviews with registered nurses working in home care meeting patients with OUD. Data were analysed using systematic text condensation. Results Three categories were identified: Reciprocity in relationships and a professional approach enhance pain management; Discrepancies between guidelines, patient‐reported pain and RNs' observations challenge pain management; and Interprofessional collaboration makes or breaks pain management.

Keywords

• analgesics
• chronic pain
• home care services
• nurses
• opioid
• opioid‐related disorder