Date of Award
Fall 2018
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice
Committee Chair
Michong Rayborn
Committee Chair Department
Nursing
Committee Member 2
Sheila Davis
Committee Member 2 Department
Nursing
Committee Member 3
Janie Butts
Committee Member 3 Department
Educational Studies and Research
Abstract
Language and the ability to communicate with the patient are foundational for effective anesthesia/patient relationships (Rosse, Bruijne, Suurmond, Essink-Bot, &Wagner, 2015). The burgeoning population of Vietnamese people in the United States demands implementation of procedures to ensure adequate communication and safe care. The present project sought to determine if the Wong-BakerVietnamese Pain Rating® Scale assisted Vietnamese patients with limited English proficiency to adequately report pain or discomfort relief during the post-operative period. A convenience sample of adults (N = 25) that meet inclusion criteria constituted the sample. Inclusive criteria were patients who were Vietnamese, between the ages of 30 and 70 years, self-defined as having limited English proficiency, and have been a patient who areor havebeen treated for pain. SPSS statistical analysis was used to calculate frequencies to determine if there were relationships between participants’ responses and demographic variables. Sixty percent of the participants felt like they are least likely to believe that their healthcare providers understand their description of pain or discomfort. Seventy percent of the participants stated they were uncomfortable at their communication level. Interestingly, 100% of the participants have never been offered a Vietnamese pain rating scale to help them describe their level of pain or discomfort. As a result, this project met the specific aims and purpose set forth to help Vietnamese patients with LEP to adequately report pain and discomfort by utilizing the Wong-Baker FACES® Pain Rating Scale. With the Wong-Baker FACES® Pain Rating Scale, the communication limitation has eased and helped increase the comfort level in communicating with healthcare providers.
Recommended Citation
Ho, Kristine, "Use of a Vietnamese Pain Scale and Report of Pain or Discomfort in Vietnamese Patients with Limited English Proficiency During the Post-Operative Period" (2018). Doctoral Projects. 94.
https://aquila.usm.edu/dnp_capstone/94