The Pain Game: pain assessment, management, and related JCAHO standards. Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.

BACKGROUND

It is a challenge to educators to assist nursing staff in maintaining up-to-date knowledge of pain assessment and management.

METHOD

A learning game, "The Pain Game," was developed to deliver information on current practices and standards related to patient pain assessment and management.

RESULTS

The advantages of using this gaming technique included minimal instructor preparation time, low cost materials, inclusion of participants as peer teachers, and a high level of participant involvement in the learning process.

CONCLUSIONS

The Pain Game has been a well-received educational activity. Not only did knowledge acquisition occur, but the game also provided an enjoyable alternative to more traditional content delivery methods.