Descripción del nivel de conocimientos y actitudes de enfermeras y auxiliares respecto al dolor en una institución de salud de Santander, Colombia

Introduction. Pain is defined according to the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience. Therefore, the role that nursing plays in this vital constant is fundamental. The objective of this study was to describe the level of knowledge and attitudes of nurses and auxiliaries regarding pain in a tertiary care institution in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Methodology. Descriptive cross-sectional study, with a sample made up of 162 participants, the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain questionnaire was used. Inclusion criteria: nurses and assistants with a minimum of three months in the service; exclusion criteria: nursing students and nurses with training and non-missionary work. Results. The average age was 31 years, female 86.4%, the average years of experience in the service 1.54 years. The percentage of correct knowledge answers was 30.7% for nurses and 25.6% for auxiliaries. Discussion. Although studies have been carried out internationally that have evaluated the knowledge and attitudes of pain using the same questionnaire; This study is the first in Colombia comparing nurses and auxiliaries, showing better percentages of correct answers and a greater number of questions with results classified as "satisfactory". Conclusions. The level of knowledge and attitudes regarding pain obtained from nurses is higher than that of assistants. However, specific weaknesses in these areas were identified in both populations.