HOW CAN PAIN BE ASSESSED EFFECTIVELY IN SEVERE DEMENTIA PATIENTS IN Literature review - 1

HOW CAN PAIN BE ASSESSED EFFECTIVELY IN SEVERE DEMENTIA PATIENTS IN HOSPITALS - Literature review Example Dementia is associated with significant cognitive impairment. Most of the patients with dementia have a longer stay at hospitals which is associated with the development of complications. Pain is commonly under diagnosed and undertreated in patients with dementia (Buffum and Haberfelde 2007), as the dementia patients cannot communicate properly. A pilot study was conducted by Buffum and Haberfelde 2007 to assess families and care givers perception on pain management in patients with dementia. The study was conducted among 34 family caregivers and the study concluded various strategies for assessment of pain that include regular observation and assessment. Even though there are several methods in the management and assessment of pain, still the identification of appropriate tool remains a concern in all care settings. Most of the studies report self report as the most effective tool for pain assessment. In a study conducted by Shega et al (2005) among 115 dyads, 37 patients with demen tia and 57 caregivers reported that direct self report of pain is the most appropriate tool for assessment of pain and the treatment should be done accordingly. The study suggested that the clinicians should routinely assess the pain, caregiver depression and patient agitation, as the study has reported caregiver reported pain during caregiver depression. A study by Pautex et al 2005, also supports the use of self assessment report for pain management. The prospective clinical study was conducted among 160 patients, where 97%, 90% and 40% of patients with mild, moderate and severe dementia understood the use of the self assessment scale. The study concluded that self assessment works well among patients with mild and moderate dementia. The study also suggests the use of observational pain rating scales, along with the use of self assessment reports in pains with advanced dementia. Observational scale along with self-assessment correlates