Factors Influencing Pain Management Practices Among Nurses in University Hospitals in Western Japan: A Cross‐Sectional Study Using Hierarchical Multiple Regression Analysis

Effective pain management remains a global nursing challenge, requiring awareness of influencing factors. This cross-sectional study examined such factors among nurses in Western Japan's university hospitals from September to November 2023. A self-reported questionnaire was used to investigate nurses' sociodemographic characteristics, collaboration with physicians in the ward, pain management knowledge, empathy, and pain management practices. Among 695 nurses (69.4% valid response rate), 51.4% had under 5 years' work experience, indicating a relatively junior nursing workforce. The mean practice score was 47.5 (SD = 7.1). Hierarchical regression showed knowledge and empathy increased practice scores by 6.2%. Nurses' empathy, particularly their perspective-taking, explained pain management practice (β = 0.242, p < 0.001). Information-sharing with pain specialists, effective collaboration with physicians in the ward, work experience, and clinical pain education were also associated with pain management practices (all p < 0.05). This study suggests that enhancing nurses' empathy and fostering a collaborative ward environment may be essential strategies to improve the pain management quality.

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: [Xi, M., Y. Kajiwara, and M. Morimoto. 2025. “ Factors Influencing Pain Management Practices Among Nurses in University Hospitals in Western Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Hierarchical Multiple Regression Analysis.” Nursing & Health Sciences 27, no. 3: e70143. https://doi.org/10.1111/nhs.70143.], which has been published in final form at [https://doi.org/10.1111/nhs.70143]. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.

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