Insights Into Tertiary Care Nurses: Awareness and Practices Regarding Nonpharmacological Pediatric Pain Management in Qatar

Effective pain management, particularly non-pharmacological pain management (NPPM), is a critical component of pediatric care. Tertiary care settings play a pivotal role in implementing and modeling best practices in NPPM due to their specialized services, multidisciplinary teams, and access to advanced resources. As tertiary public hospitals often handle complex and severe pediatric cases, they serve as a benchmark for high-quality, holistic pain management practices, including non-pharmacological approaches. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceived practices of pediatric nurses regarding NPPM in tertiary public hospitals in Qatar. Additionally, the study explored the association between nurses' demographic characteristics and their competencies in NPPM. A cross-sectional design was employed. Data were collected from 136 pediatric nurses in emergency and inpatient units of tertiary public hospitals between August and October 2024. Proportionate sampling was used to select participants. A structured, self-administered questionnaire adapted from validated tools assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Ethical approval was obtained, and data collection adhered to privacy and confidentiality protocols. The mean age of participants was 36.9 ± 5.7 years, with most reporting workload challenges (94.1%) and insufficient NPPM resources (58.8%). The nurse-to-patient ratio was most reported as 1-4 (58.1%), with a smaller proportion working under undetermined ratios (39.0%). A majority (94.1%) reported experiencing workload challenges, and 58.8% reported insufficient NPPM resources. The mean knowledge score was 10.4 ± 2.1, reflecting moderate understanding. While 86.8% correctly identified the best judge of a patient's pain intensity, gaps in knowledge regarding chronic pain management and pediatric pain assessment were evident. The mean attitude score was 50.3 ± 5.9, indicating a positive outlook toward NPPM, though only 41.9% deemed their training adequate. Practices revealed a mean score of 57.3 ± 6.8, with high usage of preparation techniques (87.5%) and verbal reassurance (86.7%). However, methods like guided imagery were underutilized (47.8%). Family involvement in pain management was emphasized, with 92.6% of nurses integrating family participation. This study found that pediatric nurses demonstrate positive attitudes toward non-pharmacological pain management (NPPM) but face gaps in chronic pain management and pediatric pain assessment. Nurse-to-patient ratios also influenced practice, with heavier workloads limiting individualized care. Targeted education, interprofessional collaboration, adequate resources, and evidence-based staffing are essential to strengthen NPPM competencies and improve pediatric pain outcomes. Despite positive attitudes and the adoption of certain effective practices, significant gaps remain in knowledge and the consistent application of NPPM techniques among pediatric nurses in tertiary care settings.