Pain Management Nursing
Volume 9, Issue 3 , Pages 113-119, September 2008

A Tale of Two Countries: Comparison of the Perceptions of Analgesics Among Finnish and American Parents

  • Päivi M. Kankkunen, PhD, RN

      Affiliations

    • Department of Nursing Science, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence to Päivi M Kankkunen, PhD, RN, Department of Nursing Science, University of Kuopio, P. O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
    • ,
  • Katri M. Vehviläinen-Julkunen, PhD, RN

      Affiliations

    • Department of Nursing Science, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland
    • ,
  • Anna-Maija K. Pietilä, PhD, RN

      Affiliations

    • Department of Nursing Science, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland
    • ,
  • Hannu Kokki, MD

      Affiliations

    • Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology and of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland
    • ,
  • Margaret Grey, DrPH, RN, FAAN

      Affiliations

    • Yale University School of Nursing, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
    • ,
  • Zeev N. Kain, MD, MBA, FAAP

      Affiliations

    • Center for the Advancement of Perioperative Health, the Departments of Anesthesiology, Pediatrics, and Child Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
    • ,
  • Rachel Y. Zisk, PhD, RN, MPH

      Affiliations

    • Yale University School of Nursing, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
    • Henrietta Szold School of Nursing, Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical Organization, Jerusalem, Israel

Abstract 

Our purpose was to compare parental perceptions regarding children's analgesics in Finland and the USA. Data were collected from 315 Finnish and 110 American parents of children undergoing surgery using questionnaires. Cross-tabulation, and χ2 were used in the analysis. Parents thought that analgesia should be given regularly, but more American than Finnish parents thought analgesics should be given to the child before the pain becomes severe. Additionally, more American than Finnish parents stated that children easily become dependent on analgesics and that analgesics for home use may be dangerous for children. Nurses should be aware of parents' incorrect perceptions which may be barriers to children's pain relief.

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 In Finland, the study was funded by “Children's pain assessment and alleviation,” a project at the University of Kuopio, Finnish Association of Caring Sciences, Foundation of Nurse Education, Foundation for Pediatric Research, Kuopio University Hospital, EVO (special funding by the state for health care), and Finnish Postgraduate School in Nursing Science. In the USA, the study was supported by grants from Yale School of Nursing (NIH-T32NR008346) and Center for Self and Family Management of Vulnerable Populations (NIH-P30NR008999). Dr. Kain is partially funded by a grant from the National Institute of Child and Health Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland (NIH-2R01HD037007-04A1).

PII: S1524-9042(08)00004-0

doi:10.1016/j.pmn.2007.12.003

Pain Management Nursing
Volume 9, Issue 3 , Pages 113-119, September 2008

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