Learning Objective #1: recognize the benefit of a processed standardization of a interprofessional pain treatment and a standardized certification of pain treatment as a qualitative measurement in

Learning Objective #2: identify necessity of focused patient education as well as interprofessional quantitative and qualitative research

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Aim of investigation: The subject of this study is to evaluate the quality of both process and outcome of pain therapy in patients with acute and chronic pain in a group of 25 German hospitals, in order to identify possible shortcomings of the inter-professional pain treatment. Methods The study was performed as a quasi-experimental pre-post test design. Initially standardized questionnaires for patients, nurses and physicians as well as focused interviews and non interventional observations were used. Results Measurement and documentation of pain were inadequately performed by both nurses (n=4569) and physicians (n=2385). In the patients (n=6076) studied, 35% described their pain at rest as moderate (>3 NRS) and 38% as severe (>6 NRS). During the study period, 80% of surgical patients and 43% of the non-surgical patients and 76% of cancer patients experienced periods of pain. Of the nurses and physicians participating, 65% described no need for changes in their methods of pain treatment. Focused patient education as well as training for the medical and nursing staff increase the quality of the pain treatment. Conclusion In the settings studied pain treatment was suboptimal. The identified causes which hinder effective treatment were: inadequate training, shortcomings of communication and co-operation as well as non-observance of well-known treatment principles. These findings were being used to design medical and nursing interventions, specific for each institution, to improve both the process and outcome of pain therapy.