The Need

In healthcare, accurately assessing and managing pain is paramount for patient well-being and treatment efficacy. However, conventional methods of pain assessment rely heavily on verbal communication from patients, which poses challenges for individuals unable to express their pain verbally or those who choose not to. This creates a significant gap in identifying and addressing unreported or "unidentified" pain, particularly among patients who lack cognitive abilities or are unwilling to verbalize their discomfort.

The Technology

Our innovative protocol for an integrative review offers a systematic approach to understanding "unidentified pain." Leveraging established criteria for systematic reviews of theory, such as those outlined by Campbell and colleagues, and following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines, our methodology ensures comprehensive coverage of existing theoretical approaches to this complex issue. By utilizing a broad search strategy across reputable databases including MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and Google Scholar, coupled with advanced systematic review software like Covidence, we streamline data extraction and analysis. Subsequently, qualitative content analysis enables a nuanced narrative presentation of the findings, providing valuable insights into addressing unreported pain in clinical settings.

Commercial Applications

• Enhancing pain assessment protocols in healthcare settings.
• Improving patient care and treatment outcomes by identifying and addressing unreported pain.
• Informing the development of tailored interventions for patients unable or unwilling to verbally communicate pain.

Benefits/Advantages

• Comprehensive and systematic approach to understanding unreported pain.
• Facilitates targeted interventions to address unmet patient needs.
• Enhances overall quality of care and patient satisfaction.
• Supports evidence-based decision-making for healthcare practitioners.
• Potential for reducing healthcare costs associated with undertreated pain.