Implementing national standards for cancer pain management: program model and evaluation

The influence of opioid-taking self-efficacy and social support on pain management satisfaction in outpatients with cancer pain

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to explore the correlations between patients' opioid-taking self-efficacy, social support, and their pain management satisfaction, and to evaluate the effect of social support and opioid-taking self-efficacy in explaining the variance in pain management satisfaction.

METHODS

We used a cross-sectional and correlational research design and recruited 123 cancer patients via convenience sampling. We used the following instruments: the Opioid-Taking Self-Efficacy Scale, the Inventory of Socially Supportive Behavior, and the Chinese version of the Pain Treatment Satisfaction Scale.

RESULTS

There were significant and negative correlations between opioid-taking self-efficacy and pain management satisfaction (r =  - .43, p < .001) and between social support and pain management satisfaction (r =  - .47, p < .001). Using a hierarchical regression analysis, social support and opioid-taking self-efficacy explained 17.20% and 5.20%, respectively, of the variance in pain management satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study confirm the importance of social support and opioid-taking self-efficacy in influencing pain management satisfaction. We recommend that professional care providers develop relevant intervention aimed at improving patients' pain management satisfaction.

A Stepped-Wedge Randomized Controlled Trial: Effects of eHealth Interventions for Pain Control Among Adults With Cancer in Hospice

CONTEXT

Unrelieved cancer pain at the end of life interferes with achieving patient-centered goals.

OBJECTIVE

To compare effects of usual hospice care and PAINRelieveIt® on pain outcomes in patients and their lay caregivers.

METHODS

In a five-step, stepped-wedge randomized, controlled study, 234 patients (49% male, 18% Hispanic, 51% racial minorities) and 231 lay caregivers (26% male, 20% Hispanic, 54% racial minorities) completed pre-pain/post-pain measures. They received usual hospice care with intervention components that included a summary of the patient's pain data, decision support for hospice nurses, and multimedia education tailored to the patient's and lay caregiver's misconceptions about pain.

RESULTS

The intervention effect on analgesic adherence (primary outcome) was not significant. Post-test worst pain intensity was significantly higher for the experimental group, but the difference (0.70; CI = [0.12, 1.27]) was not clinically meaningful. There was nearly universal availability of prescriptions for strong opioids and adjuvant analgesics for neuropathic pain in both groups. Lay caregivers' pain misconceptions (0-5 scale) were significantly lower in the experimental group than the usual care group (mean difference controlling for baseline is 0.38; CI = [0.08, 0.67]; P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

This randomized controlled trial was a negative trial for the primary study outcomes but positive for a secondary outcome. The trial is important for clearly demonstrating the feasibility of implementing the innovative set of interventions.

Unique Pain Management Staff Education Program in a Community Hospital

This paper describes a unique and exciting way to educate medical/surgical care providers in pain management. The Medical Pathway, consisting of medicine, oncology, renal, and surgery care providers, chose pain management as a quality improvement initiative. Nurses, a pharmacist, a physical therapist, and a representative from the Healing Arts Department constituted the pain management team. The goal of the team was staff education on pain management. This education was accomplished by implementing a yearlong series of traditional lectures and nontraditional teaching techniques, such as “Pain Awareness Days.”

Use and satisfaction with the Healthcare System of the chronic pain patients in Spain: results from a nationwide study

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the use of healthcare resources by chronic pain (CP) patients in Spain and their satisfaction with them.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A nationwide, cross-sectional study was carried out on a representative sample of 1957 Spanish adults. A telephone survey was conducted with the aim of analyzing the prevalence of CP, the characteristics and consequences of pain, the use of healthcare resources and patients' satisfaction with them. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Of the 1957 subjects interviewed, 325 suffered CP. The mean duration of CP was 10 years (SD: 11.3) and 48.9% of the CP sufferers reported severe/unbearable pain. Moreover, about 30% felt sad/very sad or anxious/very anxious, 24.4% had been on sick leave, 12% had left/lost their jobs and 47.2% considered their pain affected their families. Likewise, 92.9% had consulted a healthcare professional due to their CP, on average 3.49 times (SD: 3.9), and 69.2% took medication. In addition, 67.3% and 63.8% were satisfied/very satisfied with the care and the healthcare information they received, respectively. Individuals who reported headache (OR = 0.34) and feeling sad (OR =0.38) were least satisfied with the care they received. In addition, CP sufferers who made greater use of consultations were those who had left/lost their jobs (β = 1.44), those who took medication (β = 1.67), those who considered their pain affected their families (β = 0.97) and those with a shorter duration of pain (β = -0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

CP produces relevant demands on healthcare resources, conditioned by the consequences within the family and the effects on their employment. To achieve greater patient satisfaction, professionals need to pay particular attention to certain sites of pain and to patients' mental health.

Interventions for Nurse-Related Barriers in Cancer Pain Management

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To describe the findings and critique the studies of interventions for nursing staff to improve pain management in adults with cancer.

DATA SOURCES

Publications were identified through database searches. Studies that describe interventions to overcome nurse-related barriers in cancer pain management practices were included in this review.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Nine studies were found that met the inclusion criteria. All studies were experimental and conducted from 1993-2013.

CONCLUSIONS

Increase in knowledge, change of attitudes and behaviors, and good relationships with specialists were found to be influential in overcoming existing nursing barriers to pain management in cancer survivors. Educational interventions are more effective in increasing knowledge than in improving attitudes. Specialists were acknowledged as important resources and role models for nurses, particularly when trust was established between the two.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

A number of interventions have been developed to address healthcare provider barriers. However, scarce literature exists on whether interventions that aim to overcome nurse-related barriers have been successful. This literature review provides critical insights on the effectiveness of interventions aimed to overcome barriers to effective pain management by nurses for adults with cancer
.

Management of Chronic Postthoracotomy Pain

Postthoracotomy pain management is essential imme diately after surgery and crucial for the patient suffering from this problem for a long duration. Understanding the causative and pathophysiological basis for this condition requires frequent assessment and a multidi mensional approach. Inadequate pain control has detri mental effects on the routine activities of patients as well as on their physical and emotional well-being. During the last 2 decades, the understanding of various pain-related issues has been strengthened resulting in early intervention and pain management. Various phar macological modalities including the role of nonopiates, opiates, and adjuvant drugs are helpful in combating postthoracotomy pain. A selective group of patients will benefit from interventional techniques. The treat ment decision requires a clear understanding of the disease and its impact on the patient. There must also be an understanding of risk and benefits as well as cost and benefits for various drugs and techniques before selecting the appropriate therapy.

Assessment of patient satisfaction with acute pain management service: Monitoring quality of care in clinical setting

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Assessment of patient satisfaction is an important tool for monitoring the quality of care in hospitals. The aim of this survey was to develop a reliable tool to assess patient satisfaction with acute pain management service (APMS) and identify variables affecting this so that care can be improved.

METHODS

A questionnaire was developed and administered to patients after being discharged from APMS care by an unbiased person. Data collected from record included patient demographics, surgical procedure, analgesic modality, co-analgesics and dynamic and static pain scores. Questions included pain expected and pain experienced, APMS response time, quality of pain relief with treatment, professionalism of APMS team, overall experience of pain relief and choosing/suggesting same modality for themselves/family/friends again. Five-point Likert scale was used for most of the options. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 19.

RESULTS

Frequency and percentages were computed for qualitative observation and presented on pie chart and histogram. Seventy-one per cent patients expected severe pain while 43% actually experienced it. About 79.4% would choose same analgesia modality in future for self/family/friends. Ninety-nine per cent found APMS staff courteous and professional. About 89% rated their experience of pain management as excellent to very good.

CONCLUSION

The survey of patients' satisfaction to monitor the quality of care provided by APMS provided positive inputs on its role. This also helps to identify areas requiring improvement in care and as a tool to gauge the quality of care.

Knowledge, practices, and perceived barriers regarding cancer pain management among physicians and nurses in Korea: a nationwide multicenter survey

PURPOSE

Medical professionals' practices and knowledge regarding cancer pain management have often been cited as inadequate. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge, practices and perceived barriers regarding cancer pain management among physicians and nurses in Korea.

METHODS

A nationwide questionnaire survey was administered to physicians and nurses involved in the care of cancer patients. Questionnaire items covered pain assessment and documentation practices, knowledge regarding cancer pain management, the perceived barriers to cancer pain control, and processes perceived as the major causes of delay in opioid administration.

RESULTS

A total of 333 questionnaires (149 physicians and 284 nurses) were analyzed. Nurses performed pain assessment and documentation more regularly than physicians did. Although physicians had better knowledge of pain management than did nurses, both groups lacked knowledge regarding the side effects and pharmacology of opioids. Physicians working in the palliative care ward and nurses who had received pain management education obtained higher scores on knowledge. Physicians perceived patients' reluctance to take opioids as a barrier to pain control, more so than did nurses, while nurses perceived patients' tendency to under-report of pain as a barrier, more so than did physicians. Physicians and nurses held different perceptions regarding major cause of delay during opioid administration.

CONCLUSIONS

There were differences between physicians and nurses in knowledge and practices for cancer pain management. An effective educational strategy for cancer pain management is needed in order to improve medical professionals' knowledge and clinical practices.

Do implementation strategies increase adherence to pain assessment in hospitals? A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Pain assessment and reassessment is an essential part of the treatment of hospitalised patients and must be integrated in pain management protocols. Yet nurses' adherence to pain assessment recommendations is problematic. We sought to review the comparative evidence for implementation strategies aiming to improve nurses' adherence to pain assessment recommendations in hospitalised patients.

DESIGN

Systematic review using the narrative method.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed (MEDLINE), CINAHL, Cochrane library and hand searching.

REVIEW METHODS

Studies published since 1990, reporting implementation strategies that aimed to improve nurses' adherence to pain assessment recommendations in hospitalised patients were included. According to the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organization of Care group (EPOC) classification system, strategies were categorized as directed at: health professionals, organizations, financing, or regulations. Given the heterogeneity in strategies, samples, outcomes and settings, evidence from the studies was synthesized using a narrative approach.

RESULTS

From 743 initial citations, 23 studies were included. They reported a variety of implementation strategies, but only directed at health professionals and/or organizations. In seven studies, a single strategy was applied (e.g. education or feedback). The remaining 16 studies used multifaceted approaches. The effectiveness of the implementation strategies varied. In all studies but one, adherence rates had improved after implementation compared to the before measurement, by 9% up to 49%. These effects were measured at different time points after completion of the implementation, ranging from 2 weeks to 6 months. Half of the reviewed studies reported an adherence rate of 80% or higher after implementation activities; other reported rates ranging from 24 to 80%. In two controlled studies the adherence to pain assessment recommendations increased significantly when feedback was provided compared to no feedback. Sustained effects were reported in three studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on this systematic review we conclude that implementation strategies to improve nurses' adherence to pain assessment recommendations vary but generally address professionals and organizational aspects. Educational and feedback strategies are often used and seem largely effective. Due to the heterogeneity of the implementation strategies it is not possible to recommend one preferred strategy. The level of evidence for strategies to improve pain assessment recommendations is limited however, as well-conducted studies are lacking.

Clinical response to an outpatient palliative care consultation in patients with advanced cancer and cancer pain

CONTEXT

There is limited published data regarding the outcomes of palliative care consult on cancer pain treatment at the first follow-up visit.

OBJECTIVES

The primary aim of this study was to determine pain treatment response to an outpatient palliative care consultation at the first follow-up visit for patients with cancer pain.

METHODS

Data from consecutive patients (n=1612) who were referred to the outpatient Supportive Care Center at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and completed the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System at their initial and subsequent visits from January 2003 to December 2010 were reviewed. All patients received interdisciplinary care led by palliative care specialists following an institutional protocol. Pain treatment response was defined as a ≥2 point or ≥30% reduction from baseline. Using logistic regression models, predictive factors associated with pain treatment response were assessed.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) baseline pain was 5.36 (2.9). Of the 1612 patients, 462 (29%) rated their pain as mild (numeric rating scale [NRS] score 0-3), 511 (32%) as moderate (NRS score 4-6), and 639 (39%) as severe (NRS score 7-10). Almost half (728 of 1612 [45%]) of the patients achieved pain treatment response. However, 228 of 728 (31%) responding patients still had pain ≥4 at the first follow-up visit in 15 days on average. Of the 462 patients with mild pain at baseline, 147 (32%) had worse pain at the first follow-up visit. Factors associated with clinical response were baseline pain intensity (odds ratio [OR] per point 1.4; P<0.01), fatigue (OR per point 1.01; P=0.014), and Edmonton Symptom Assessment System symptom burden (OR per point 1.01; P=0.039).

CONCLUSION

More than half of the patients with moderate/severe pain were nonresponders, and about one-third of the patients with mild pain had an increase in pain severity to moderate/severe levels at the first follow-up. More frequent follow-up visits, phone calls, and interdisciplinary clinics may improve pain control.

Achievement of personalized pain goal in cancer patients referred to a supportive care clinic at a comprehensive cancer center

BACKGROUND

Cancer pain initiatives recommend using the personalized pain goal to tailor pain management. This study was conducted to examine the feasibility and stability of personalized pain goal, and how it compares to the clinical pain response criteria.

METHODS

Records of 465 consecutive cancer patients seen in consultation at the Supportive Care Clinic were reviewed. Pain relief was assessed as clinical response (≥30% or ≥2 point pain reduction) and personalized pain goal response (pain ≤ personalized pain goal).

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-two (34%), 95 (21%), and 163 (37%) patients presented with mild (1-4), moderate (5-6), and severe (7-10) pain, respectively. Median age (59 years), males (52%), and advanced cancer status (84%) did not differ by pain category. Median personalized pain goal at initial clinic consult was 3 (interquartile range, 2-3), was similar across pain groups, and remained unchanged (P = .57) at follow-up (median, 14 days). Clinical response was higher among patients with severe pain (60%) as compared with moderate (40%) and mild pain (33%, P < .001). Personalized pain goal response was higher among patients with mild pain (63%) as compared with moderate (44%) and severe pain (27%, P < .001). By using personalized pain goal response as the gold standard for pain relief, the sensitivity of clinical response was highest (98%) among patients with severe pain, but it had low specificity (54%). In patients with mild pain, clinical response was most specific for pain relief (98%), but had low sensitivity (52%).

CONCLUSIONS

Personalized pain goal is a simple patient-reported outcome for pain goals. The majority of patients were capable of stating their desired level for pain relief. The median personalized pain goal was 3, and it was highly stable at follow-up assessment.

Pain in pediatric oncology - children's and parents' perspectives

There is a lack of valid epidemiological data on malignancy-associated pain in modern pediatric oncology. Pediatric oncology patients (self-assessment) and their parents from 28 hospitals were questioned using age-adapted, structured interviews and validated pain assessment tools. Pain intensity was measured by the NRS and Bieri faces scale. We conducted 363 interviews with patients and their parents, and 46 with the parents alone (if patients <2.5 years). Pain was reported at the time of the interview or within the last 24 h, 7 d, or 4 weeks in 15%, 28%, 50% and 58% of cases, respectively. The proportion of patients suffering severe to maximal pain (NRS>3; Bieri>2) increased significantly (p=0.001, chi2 test). The median pain intensity for the most severe pain episode within the last 4 weeks was 6.7 (NRS 0-10). Adverse effects of anti-tumor therapy were the most frequent cause of pain. Multivariate analyses depicted general physical condition either "severely reduced" (ASA status 3) (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.1-14.7, p=0.037) or "moderately reduced" (ASA status 2) (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-2.9, p=0.018), "in-patient status" (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.9, p=0.010), and "co-morbidity present" (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.1-10.7, p=0.030) as risk factors for severe to maximal pain. General anesthesia was the only factor significantly (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.05-0.39, p<0.01) associated with a reduction in the proportion of patients suffering severe to maximal pain during bone marrow aspiration. Our data emphasize both the importance of in-house acute pain control and the need for general anesthesia during painful procedures in pediatric oncology.

Quality of life as an outcome variable in the management of advanced cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Though well recognized in the West, palliative care and quality of life are relatively newer concepts in a developing country like India. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of palliative care on pain and quality of life and to identify the association between the two.

STUDY DESIGN

Observational prospective study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with advanced cancer, receiving palliative drug therapy, were recruited from a tertiary care hospital. City of Hope Medical Center Quality of Life Survey and visual analog scale (VAS) were used to assess the quality of life and cancer pain severity, respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 100 patients were included in the study. Palliative drug therapy produced a significant reduction in pain scores expressed as mean ± SD in VAS [7.13 ± 2.2 vs. 2.62 ± 2.1 (P<0.001) after 1 month in 93 patients; 7.06 ± 2.1 vs. 2.47 ± 2.1 (P<0.001) after 1 month and 2.02 ± 1.9 (P<0.001) after 2 months in 51 patients]. Also, significant improvement in the quality of life scores [919.78 ± 271.3 vs. 1280.65 ± 306.8 (P<0.01) after 1 month in 93 patients; 950.39 ± 238.2 vs. 1336.67 ± 291 (P<0.01) after 1 month and 1405.49 ± 368.3 (P<0.01) after 2 months in 51 patients] was obtained. There was a high correlation between the average change of pain intensity and quality of life scores (r= -0.53, P<0.02). Overall, a reduction in pain resulted in significant improvement in the quality of life (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study emphasizes the role of palliative care and, more importantly, pain management in improving the quality of life of advanced cancer patients.

Inpatient palliative care consultation: enhancing quality of care for surgical patients by collaboration

Hospital-based surgeons will likely encounter palliative care service colleagues more frequently, given the growth of approved fellowships and hospital palliative care programs. Surgeons may consult with palliative care colleagues to help patients and families manage pain and other symptoms, cope with the distress of acute and chronic illness, manage complex decisions at end-of-life, and negotiate through a critical illness (or combinations thereof). Inpatient palliative care consultation has been shown to improve quality of care, including quality of life and satisfaction of patients, families, and referring clinicians.

Effect of Palliative Drug Therapy on Quality of life in Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Advanced cancer patients are managed by palliative care and its main aim is to provide best possible quality of life to the patients by symptom management. Pain is the most agonizing symptom experienced by advanced head and neck cancer patients. Control of pain hence requires more attention by the caregiver in order to improve their quality of life. Recently quality of life issues have emerged as a main focus of cancer treatment as compared to conventional increase in survival rate. This study mainly focuses on the effect of palliative drug therapy on quality of life.

Prescribed opioids adherence among Taiwanese oncology outpatients

The purpose of this study was to evaluate adherence to prescribed opioids in Taiwanese oncology outpatients and to examine the associations between various demographic and medical characteristics and prescribed opioids adherence. Ninety-two outpatients who had taken prescribed opioid analgesics for cancer-related pain at least once in the past week participated in this study. Patients were asked to recall the dose of each opioid analgesic that they had taken in the past 24 hours. Mean adherence rates were calculated for analgesic adherence. For mean adherence rates, all opioid analgesics were converted to morphine equivalents. The results of this study reveal a priority issue of poor opioid analgesic adherence. The adherence rate of 63.6% for the around-the-clock opioid analgesics in this study is well below acceptable levels. Also, an adherence rate of 30.9% for the as-needed opioid analgesics is very low. This study identified that women tend to be less adherent to their prescribed opioid analgesic regimen than men. Findings of this study suggest that to improve pain control, efforts to promote patients' opioid regimen adherence should be given high priority. Clinicians should be particularly aware that there may be some gender difference in adherence to prescribed opioid analgesics. There is a need for better programmatic efforts to improve analgesic adherence.

Effect of telecare management on pain and depression in patients with cancer: a randomized trial

CONTEXT

Pain and depression are 2 of the most prevalent and treatable cancer-related symptoms, yet they frequently go unrecognized, undertreated, or both.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether centralized telephone-based care management coupled with automated symptom monitoring can improve depression and pain in patients with cancer.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS

Randomized controlled trial conducted in 16 community-based urban and rural oncology practices involved in the Indiana Cancer Pain and Depression (INCPAD) trial. Recruitment occurred from March 2006 through August 2008 and follow-up concluded in August 2009. The participating patients had depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score > or = 10), cancer-related pain (Brief Pain Inventory [BPI] worst pain score > or = 6), or both.

INTERVENTION

The 202 patients randomly assigned to receive the intervention and 203 to receive usual care were stratified by symptom type. Patients in the intervention group received centralized telecare management by a nurse-physician specialist team coupled with automated home-based symptom monitoring by interactive voice recording or Internet.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Blinded assessment at baseline and at months 1, 3, 6, and 12 for depression (20-item Hopkins Symptom Checklist [HSCL-20]) and pain (BPI) severity.

RESULTS

Of the 405 participants enrolled in the study, 131 had depression only, 96 had pain only, and 178 had both depression and pain. Of the 274 patients with pain, 137 patients in the intervention group had greater improvements in BPI pain severity over the 12 months of the trial whether measured as a continuous severity score or as a categorical pain responder (> or = 30% decrease in BPI) than the 137 patients in the usual-care group (P < .001 for both). Similarly, of the 309 patients with depression, the 154 patients in the intervention group had greater improvements in HSCL-20 depression severity over the 12 months of the trial whether measured as a continuous severity score or as a categorical depression responder (> or = 50% decrease in HSCL) than the 155 patients in the usual care group (P < .001 for both). The standardized effect size for between-group differences at 3 and 12 months was 0.67 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.33-1.02) and 0.39 (95% CI, 0.01-0.77) for pain, and 0.42 (95% CI, 0.16-0.69) and 0.41 (95% CI, 0.08-0.72) for depression.

CONCLUSION

Centralized telecare management coupled with automated symptom monitoring resulted in improved pain and depression outcomes in cancer patients receiving care in geographically dispersed urban and rural oncology practices.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00313573.

Core aspects of satisfaction with pain management: cancer patients' perspectives

CONTEXT

The coexistence of high levels of satisfaction and high levels of pain has been perplexing.

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to 1) describe patient expectations related to the experience of cancer-related pain, 2) explore the cognitive processes and meaning that underlie patient judgments about satisfaction and dissatisfaction with pain management, and 3) explore the discrepancies between ratings of high satisfaction with pain management with high pain intensity.

METHODS

The sample included 33 patients: 18 with advanced cancer and 15 experiencing pain after a surgery for a cancer diagnosis. All patients had experienced "worst pain" of at least moderate intensity and were interviewed using standard pain measures from the American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire and open-ended questions about the underlying meaning of their answers. We systematically analyzed the transcribed qualitative data using NVivo software.

RESULTS

Fifty-five percent of patients were females and were aged 25-78 years. Most (75%) were satisfied or very satisfied with their overall pain management. Key findings indicate that for some, the worst pain rating was often brief, even momentary. Most patients expected pain relief. Four key themes were important to the quality of pain management: being treated right, having a safety net, being in a partnership with their health care team, and having pain treatment that was efficacious. Key aspects of the patient-provider relationship that mattered were how the nurses and doctors behaved toward them and how quickly they responded to reports of pain. For some, an important factor was whether they had control of the amount of pain they experienced.

CONCLUSION

The findings inform measurement of patient satisfaction with the quality of pain management.

Acculturation and the cancer pain experience

PURPOSE

Using a feminist perspective, the relationship between acculturation and cancer pain experience was explored.

DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional, correlational Internet study among 104 Hispanic and 114 Asian cancer patients. The instruments included both unidimensional and multidimensional cancer pain measures.

FINDINGS

There were significant differences in cancer pain scores by country of birth. Yet there was no significant association of acculturation to cancer pain scores.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated inconsistent findings.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

To provide directions for adequate cancer pain management, further studies with a larger number of diverse groups of immigrant cancer patients are needed.

The Indiana Cancer Pain and Depression (INCPAD) trial Design of a telecare management intervention for cancer-related symptoms and baseline characteristics of study participants

OBJECTIVE

Pain and depression are two of the most prevalent and treatable cancer-related symptoms, each present in at least 20-30% of oncology patients. Both symptoms are frequently either unrecognized or undertreated, however. This article describes a telecare management intervention delivered by a nurse-psychiatrist team that is designed to improve recognition and treatment of pain and depression. The enrolled sample is also described.

METHODS

The Indiana Cancer Pain and Depression study is a National Cancer Institute-sponsored randomized clinical trial. Four hundred five patients with cancer-related pain and/or clinically significant depression from 16 urban or rural oncology practices throughout Indiana have been enrolled and randomized to either the intervention group or to a usual-care control group. Intervention patients receive centralized telecare management coupled with automated home-based symptom monitoring. Outcomes will be assessed at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months by research assistants blinded to treatment arms.

RESULTS

Of 4465 patients screened, 2185 (49%) endorsed symptoms of pain or depression. Of screen-positive patients, about one-third were ineligible (most commonly due to pain or depression not meeting severity thresholds or to pain that is not related to cancer). Of the 405 patients enrolled, 32% have depression only, 24% have pain only and 44% have both depression and pain. At baseline, participants reported an average of 16.8 days out of the past 4 weeks during which they were confined to bed or had to reduce their usual activities by > or =50% due to pain or depression. Also, 176 (44%) reported being unable to work due to health reasons.

CONCLUSIONS

When completed, the Indiana Cancer Pain and Depression trial will test whether centralized telecare management coupled with automated home-based symptom monitoring improves outcomes in cancer patients with depression and/or pain. Findings will be important for both oncologists and mental health clinicians confronted with oncology patients' depression or pain.

Effects of a pain education program on nurses' pain knowledge, attitudes and pain assessment practices in China

The purpose of this study was to develop, implement, and evaluate the impact of a Pain Education Program (PEP) for nurses in China. The effects of PEP were measured in a quasi-experimental design. A total of 196 nurses who met the inclusion criteria from five nursing units in two teaching hospitals participated in the study. Randomization took place at the hospital level to select experimental and control groups. The research intervention was the PEP, which had two components: (1) to educate nurses about pain management and (2) to implement daily pain assessment by using the Changhai Pain Scale. The duration of PEP was five weeks and intervention methods included focused education, group activity, and individual instruction. After the baseline data were collected, PEP was implemented in the experimental group. The control group (n=90) received no intervention, and the experimental group (n = 106) received six hours of focused education training. During the fourth and fifth weeks of the training program, the researcher and the faculty instructed nurses in five nursing units on how to use the Changhai Pain Scale to assess patients' pain levels and demonstrated how to document pain condition in the nursing records. Nurses in both groups filled out a set of questionnaires, which included a background information form and the Nurses' Knowledge and Attitude Survey form, before the PEP (T1), at one month after the PEP (T2), and at three months after the PEP (T3). Nurses in the experimental group who received the PEP had a significant improvement in their pain knowledge and attitudes. Their scores on the Nurses' Knowledge and Attitude Survey increased from 15.67 at T1 to 26.13 at T2 and 35.14 at T3. The scores of nurses in the control group were unchanged (from 15.20 at T1 to 14.29 at T2 and 14.93 at T3, P>0.05). In addition, experimental group nurses had an improvement in pain assessment. The percentage of nurses who correctly used the Changhai Pain Scale to assess patients' pain intensity increased significantly after the PEP, and the increased usage of the assessment tool between experimental and control groups also shows a statistical difference in trend (chi(2)=93.281, P<0.001). The PEP has been demonstrated to be effective in improving nurses' pain knowledge, attitudes, and assessment.

Pain management: a review of organisation models with integrated processes for the management of pain in adult cancer patients

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This paper reports a review of the literature conducted to identify organisation models in cancer pain management that contain integrated care processes and describe their effectiveness.

BACKGROUND

Pain is experienced by 30-50% of cancer patients receiving treatment and by 70-90% of those with advanced disease. Efforts to improve pain management have been made through the development and dissemination of clinical guidelines. Early improvements in pain management were focussed on just one or two single processes such as pain assessment and patient education. Little is known about organisational models with multiple integrated processes throughout the course of the disease trajectory and concerning all stages of the care process.

DESIGN

Systematic review.

METHOD

The review involved a systematic search of the literature, published between 1986-2006. Subject-specific keywords used to describe patients, disease, pain management interventions and integrated care processes, relevant for this review were selected using the thesaurus of the databases.

CONCLUSION

Institutional models, clinical pathways and consultation services are three alternative models for the integration of care processes in cancer pain management. A clinical pathway is a comprehensive institutionalisation model, whereas a pain consultation service is a 'stand-alone' model that can be integrated in a clinical pathway. Positive patient and process outcomes have been described for all three models, although the level of evidence is generally low. Evaluation of the quality of pain management must involve standardised measurements of both patient and process outcomes.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

We recommend the development of policies for referrals to a pain consultation service. These policies can be integrated within a clinical pathway. To evaluate the effectiveness of pain management models standardised outcome measures are needed.

Pain beliefs and pain management of oncology patients

Cancer pain is estimated to occur in 30% to 70% of patients with early-stage cancer and 60% to 95% with advanced cancer. Current research shows that cancer pain continues to be undertreated despite the availability of analgesics and established guidelines to maximize their effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to describe oncology patients' pain experience during an episode of hospitalization with particular emphasis on exploring the relationship between oncology patients' beliefs about pain and the treatment they received. Consecutive patients (n = 126) were interviewed 48 hours after admission to an urban and a regional hospital in Australia; 47.6% of patients had experienced moderate to severe pain in the previous 24 hours but had only received 40.4% of available analgesic. Patients held varying beliefs about pain and pain treatments in particular, 41% held strong beliefs about the potential for addiction to narcotics. Patients who held this belief reported higher current pain, worst pain intensity, and higher average pain intensity in the previous 24 hours. Effective pain management in the inpatient oncology setting continues to be an important clinical issue, and patients do not receive all available pain treatment. There may be an important association between patients' beliefs about pain and pain management and the pain management they receive.

Pain management in hospitalized cancer patients: a systematic review

PURPOSE

To assist cancer centers in improving pain management, we conducted a systematic review of institutional interventions designed to improve the assessment and treatment of pain in hospitalized cancer patients.

METHODS

We performed a MEDLINE search for all English-language articles published from January 1966 through February 2006 using the medical subject headings terms of pain or pain measurement and outcome assessment (health care) or quality assurance (health care). Selected bibliographies were also searched. Studies were reviewed if they included clinical interventions directed at improving the treatment of cancer pain across an institution or nursing unit. Meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials or other controlled studies were included where possible. If no such trials were identified, then the best evidence available from studies with other designs was included.

RESULTS

Five interventions were identified. These interventions included professional and patient education, instituting regular pain assessment (pain as a vital sign), audit of pain results and feedback to clinical staff, computerized decisional support systems, and specialist-level pain consultation services. Most studies were small in size and used quasiexperimental pre-post test designs. Successes were reported in increasing patient satisfaction, increasing documentation of pain intensity, and improving nurses' knowledge and attitudes. No study reported successful interventions that consistently improved patients' pain severity.

CONCLUSION

Although professional knowledge and attitudes about pain and nursing pain assessment rates have been shown to be improvable, no systematic, hospital-wide intervention has yet to be associated with improvement in pain severity. Future research on the development of new interventions, perhaps targeted specifically at physicians, is urgently needed.

"Research to Practice": A Practical Program to Enhance the Use of Evidence-Based Practice at the Unit Level

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To assist clinical nurses in translating research into clinical practice.

DATA SOURCES

City of Hope Quality-of-Life (QOL) Model to guide presentations and discussion, research utilization theories, and evidence-based practice literature.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Based on percentage of individual participant involvement, the four domains of QOL, and a knowledge survey.

OUTCOMES

Attendance, discussion, QOL domain ranking, satisfaction, and pre- and postknowledge scores. Attendance averaged 13 individuals; average discussion participation was 54%. The psychological QOL domain was most important (58%), and discussion averaged a score of 3 (1 = slow to 5 = lively). A one-point increase (scale 1-5) measured a change in knowledge.

CONCLUSIONS

The challenge for nursing assessment is to fully address patient issues in the psychological domain.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

A practical program can be formulated to bring evidence-based practice to the clinical setting.

Quality measures for symptoms and advance care planning in cancer: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Measuring quality of care for symptom management and ascertaining patient goals offers an important step toward improving palliative cancer management. This study was designed to identify systematically the quality measures and the evidence to support their use in pain, dyspnea, depression, and advance care planning (ACP), and to identify research gaps.

METHODS

English-language documents were selected from MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, PsycINFO (1995 to 2005); Internet-based searches; and contact with measure developers. We used terms for each domain to select studies throughout the cancer care continuum. We included measures that expressed a normative relationship to quality, specified the target population, and specified the indicated care. Dual data review and abstraction was performed by palliative care researchers describing populations, testing, and attributes for each measure.

RESULTS

A total of 4,599 of 5,182 titles were excluded at abstract review. Of 537 remaining articles, 19 contained measures for ACP, six contained measures for depression, five contained measures for dyspnea, and 20 contained measures for pain. We identified 10 relevant measure sets that included 36 fully specified or fielded measures and 14 additional measures (16 for pain, five for dyspnea, four for depression, and 25 for ACP). Most measures were unpublished, and few had been tested in a cancer population. We were unable to describe the specifications of all measures fully and did not search for measures for pain and depression that were not cancer specific.

CONCLUSION

Measures are available for assessing quality and guiding improvement in palliative cancer care. Existing measures are weighted toward ACP, and more nonpain symptom measures are needed. Additional testing is needed before the measures are used for accountability, and basic research is required to address measurement when self-report is impaired.

A survey of perceptions with pain management in Spanish inpatients

The aim of this study was to document the satisfaction with pain management in a Spanish inpatient population and its relationship with pain ratings. Two hundred fifty inpatients of four departments were interviewed: Surgery, Orthopedics, Gynecology, and Internal Medicine. A 32-item questionnaire was used, and the main variables evaluated were pain severity, dissatisfaction with pain management and caregivers, and patient expectations regarding pain relief. Relationships among the variables were analyzed by means of Spearman's correlation between item scores and regression analysis. Median satisfaction scores were consistent with "very satisfied." Mean (SD) worst pain during the past 24 hours was 68.8 (27.5) on a 100 mm visual analogue scale. "Dissatisfaction with Pain Management" correlated positively with "Dissatisfaction with Medical Staff" (0.42), and inversely with "Pain Now" (-0.41) and "Expected Pain Relief" (-0.38). Regression analysis showed that "Dissatisfaction with Pain Management" was dependent on "Pain Now," "Least Pain," and "Dissatisfaction with Medical Staff," with statistically significant beta weight values of 0.277, 0.197, and 0.280, respectively. The study shows that patients were highly satisfied with pain management, even when they were in pain. Moreover, it establishes that patient dissatisfaction with treatment was highly related to the satisfaction with caregivers and pain intensity.

Effects of a Quality Improvement Program in Acute Care Evaluated by Patients, Nurses, and Physicians

Hospitalized patients have a right to be assessed for pain and receive optimal pain management, but inadequate pain management is still widely prevalent. Different quality improvement (QI) approaches have been used to improve patients' experience of pain, with varied results. The aim of this study was to implement a QI program and evaluate its effects on pain management routines in acute care, experienced by patients, nurses, and physicians. A cross-sectional intervention study was conducted with patients, nurses, and physicians assigned to a control group for 2 months in 2002 and an intervention group for 2 months in 2003. Implementation of a QI program, including pain policy and an educational program for the health care professionals, was evaluated with questionnaires. Nurses' assessment of pain at rest and pain with movement with pain rating scales increased (p < .001) after the intervention. Nurses participating in the educational program increased their knowledge of pain and changed their pain management routines and search habits for pain-related websites on the Internet. The number of patients assessed with pain rating scales increased (p = .011), but no difference was seen in patients' experience of pain severity, interference with function, or use of nonpharmacologic methods. Younger and higher-educated patients seemed to prefer a more active participation role in their pain management than did older and low-educated patients. In future research it would be valuable to illuminate patients' possibilities to participate in pain management further and test different implementation methods with varied length of educational programs including follow-ups for the whole team and the patients in acute care.

Using the American Pain Society's patient outcome questionnaire to evaluate the quality of postoperative pain management in a sample of Norwegian patients

In the United States, quality improvement (QI) approaches have been used to evaluate pain management. However, the use of QI approaches to evaluate the quality of patient care is just emerging in many European countries. The purposes of this study, using the American Pain Society's QI Standards, were: to describe changes over time, in pain severity, in pain interference with function, and in the doses of analgesics administered; to describe patients' level of satisfaction with postoperative pain management; and to determine the relationships between pain severity and patient outcomes. Results from a sample of patients who underwent orthopedic surgery suggest that undertreatment of pain persists across the first 5 postoperative days and that pain's level of interference with function decreases significantly between the third and fifth postoperative days. As in other studies, despite high pain intensity scores, patients reported high levels of satisfaction with postoperative pain management.

PERSPECTIVE

Findings suggest that the undertreatment of pain results in significant decrements in function over the first 5 postoperative days. Future studies designed to improve the quality of postoperative pain management need to use multimodal approaches and evaluate not only pain intensity, but improvements in function as critical outcome measures.

Improving the management of pain in hospitalized adults

BACKGROUND

Pain is a major quality issue. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a series of interventions on pain management.

METHODS

This controlled clinical trial (April 1, 2002, to February 28, 2003) involved the staggered implementation of 3 interventions into 2 blocks of matched hospital units. The setting was an 1171-bed hospital. A total of 3964 adults were studied. Interventions included education, standardized pain assessment using a 1- or 4-item (enhanced) pain scale, audit and feedback of pain scores to nursing staff, and a computerized decision support system. The main outcome measures were pain assessment and severity and analgesic prescribing.

RESULTS

Units using enhanced pain scales had significantly higher pain assessment rates than units using 1-item pain scales (64% vs 32%; P<.001), audit and feedback of pain results was associated with increases in pain assessment rates compared with units in which audit and feedback was not used (85% vs 64%; P<.001), and the addition of the computerized decision support system was associated with significant increases in pain assessment only when compared with units without audit and feedback (79% vs 64%; P<.001). The enhanced pain scale was associated with significant increases in prescribing of World Health Organization step 2 or 3 analgesic for patients with moderate or severe pain compared with the 1-item scale (83% vs 66%; P=.01). The interventions did not improve pain scores.

CONCLUSIONS

A clinically meaningful pain assessment instrument combined with either audit and feedback or a computerized decision support system improved pain documentation to more than 80%. The enhanced pain scale was associated with improved analgesic prescribing. Future interventions should be directed toward altering physician behavior related to titration of opioid analgesics.

Postoperative pain management: A practical review, part 1

PURPOSE

The pharmacotherapy and assessment of postoperative pain in general pharmacy practice settings are reviewed.

SUMMARY

Numerous factors related to all levels of society and the health care system contribute to suboptimal treatment of postoperative pain, despite awareness of this challenge for at least the past 30 years and the availability of potent analgesics and tools to help clinicians care for persons with postoperative pain. The consequences of acute pain include clinical, economic, and patient-reported outcomes; thus, improving the treatment of postoperative pain has the potential to improve health care from a broad perspective. Opioids remain the cornerstone of treatment of postoperative pain. Multimodal analgesia also has the potential to improve the pharmacotherapy of postoperative pain. In addition to the appropriate use of drugs, it is important that clinicians be comfortable with equianalgesic dosage conversion, helping ensure that analgesic-related adverse effects are minimal, assessing pain and function, and incorporating this information into patient care.

CONCLUSION

Providing optimal management of postoperative pain is a vital goal for all health care providers. There is substantial potential for pharmacists to help meet this goal.

Reliability and validity of a modified Brief Pain Inventory short form in patients with osteoarthritis

The Brief Pain Inventory short form (BPI-sf) is a validated, widely used, self-administered questionnaire developed to assess the severity of pain and the impact of pain on daily functions. A modified version was used daily in randomised control trials of patients with arthritis undergoing treatment with cyclooxygenase-2 specific inhibitors and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Results indicate that the modified BPI-sf, much like the original scale, was internally reliable, consistent over time, and had good construct, as well as convergent and predictive validity in assessment of patients suffering from conditions of chronic pain. Each scale and individual pain intensity item refers to changes in osteoarthritis pain associated with medication use. The modified BPI-sf, like the parent scale, is a valid and reliable tool for situations in which pain is assessed daily and minimises the burden placed on patients to record information necessary for scientific investigations.

Predictors of prescription of morphine for severe cancer pain by physicians in Korea

BACKGROUND

This study was undertaken to identify predictors of the prescription of strong opioids, which are important for the management of severe cancer pain, by Korean physicians.

METHODS

A questionnaire based on a hypothetical case designed to assess the prescription of morphine by physicians was administered to 800 specialists in the Korea Cancer Association, of whom 147 (18.4%) responded, and to 2200 specialists in the Korean Academy of Family Medicine, of whom 388 (17.6%) responded. We used a multidimensional approach to identify the predictors of prescription of morphine by physicians.

RESULTS

In the hypothetical case scenario, only 16.5% of the respondents stated that they would prescribe morphine for severe cancer pain. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that physicians with a positive attitude regarding opioid addiction [odds ratio (OR) 2.62; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.54-4.46], experience of pain assessment (OR 2.09; 95% CI 1.13-3.87), recent residency training (OR 2.27; 95% CI 1.30-4.0) and positive self-evaluation as an oncology specialist (OR 2.60; 95% CI 1.41-4.78) were more likely to prescribe morphine. None of the 13 variables in the knowledge dimension significantly predicted prescription of morphine for severe cancer pain.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the survey suggest that we need to develop strategies to develop a positive attitude toward opioids, to increase experience in pain assessment and to improve cancer pain management training among Korean physicians.

Nurses' willingness to maximize opioid analgesia for severe cancer pain, and its predictor

GOALS OF WORK

The effectiveness of cancer pain management (CPM) is influenced by nurses' willingness to maximize opioid analgesia for severe cancer pain. The purposes of this study were to identify the willingness of nurses to provide maximum-dose opioids whenever needed for CPM and to determine its associated predictors.

METHODS

This multicenter study was conducted among the entire total of registered nurses in seven large hospitals in Korea. Its overall response rate was 41.6%, and the data from 930 who responded (40.1%) were analyzed. We utilized a three-step, multidimensional, multiple logistic regression to identify the predictors of nurses' willingness.

MAIN RESULTS

Only 255 nurses (27.4%) indicated that they recommended the maximum dose of opioids whenever it was needed. The respondents who were more likely to recommend morphine showed the following characteristics: older nurses (odds ratio, OR, 1.57; confidence interval, CI, 1.13-2.19); they knew the effectiveness of opioids for CPM (OR 1.53; CI 1.06-2.20); rarely concerned about a patient's addiction to opioids (OR 2.16; CI 1.48-3.15), or to a family member's addiction (OR 1.81; CI 1.20-2.73); prior experience with pain assessment tools (OR 1.62; CI 1.11-2.37); practical experience caring for cancer patients with pain over 51% (OR 1.55; CI 1.09-2.19).

CONCLUSIONS

Our multicenter study suggested that in order to improve nurses' willingness to recommend opioids liberally in CPM: (1) attitudes about fear of opioid addiction must be changed; (2) the efficiency of opioids in CPM must be taught; and (3) implementation of pain assessment tools must be undertaken.

A Systematic Review of Studies Evaluating Diffusion and Dissemination of Selected Cancer Control Interventions

With this review, the authors sought to determine what strategies have been evaluated (including the outcomes assessed) to disseminate cancer control interventions that promote the uptake of behavior change. Five topic areas along the cancer care continuum (smoking cessation, healthy diet, mammography, cervical cancer screening, and control of cancer pain) were selected to be representative. A systematic review was conducted of primary studies evaluating dissemination of a cancer control intervention. Thirty-one studies were identified that evaluated dissemination strategies in the 5 topic areas. No strong evidence currently exists to recommend any one dissemination strategy as effective in promoting the uptake of cancer control interventions. The authors conclude that there is a strong need for more research into dissemination of cancer control interventions. Future research should consider methodological issues such as the most appropriate study design and outcomes to be evaluated.

The problem of postoperative pain: Issues for future research

Uncontrolled postoperative pain continues despite abundant research in the area. The purposes of the paper are to review how past research influences our understanding of pain in the postsurgery context and to argue for a methodological shift towards naturalistic inquiry. Such a shift incorporates the complexities of pain assessment and management in the clinical practice environment. Decisions regarding pain are often examined outside of the contextual concerns of clinical practice. Research approaches have involved analyses of nurse and patient-related factors associated with pain. These approaches do not account for complex interactions that occur between nurses, patients and the dynamic environment in which these interactions take place. The failure of research to address the context of pain decisions has several implications. It limits our understanding of why pain continues despite ongoing research and it does not enable evaluation of clinical strategies to improve pain decision-making and pain outcomes for patients.

Improving Nursing Home Staff Knowledge and Attitudes About Pain

PURPOSE

Effective pain management remains a serious problem in the nursing home setting. Barriers to achieving optimal pain practices include staff knowledge deficits, biases, and attitudes that influence assessment and management of the residents' pain.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Twelve nursing homes participated in this intervention study: six treatment homes and six control homes, divided evenly between urban and rural locations. Three hundred licensed and unlicensed nursing home staff members completed written knowledge and attitude surveys at baseline, and 378 staff members completed the surveys after intervention implementation.

RESULTS

Baseline results revealed notable knowledge deficits in the areas of pharmacology, drug addiction and dependence, side effect management, and nonpharmacologic management-strategy effectiveness. Significant differences were noted by job title (registered nurse/licensed practical nurse/certified nursing assistant). Case studies displayed a knowledge application problem, with nurses often filtering resident pain reports through observed resident behaviors. The intervention led to significant improvement in knowledge scores in some, but not all, the treatment homes. Perceived barriers to effective pain management showed a significant decline across all study nursing homes.

IMPLICATIONS

Knowledge deficits related to pain management persist in nursing homes. An interactive multifaceted educational program was only partially successful in improving knowledge across settings and job categories. Attitudes and beliefs appear more difficult to change, whereas environmental and contextual factors appeared to be reducing perceived barriers to effective pain management across all participating nursing homes.

Pain management in the intensive care unit

Pain management is an essential component of quality care delivery for the critically ill patient. Because outcomes are difficult to predict in the intensive care unit (ICU), high-quality pain management and palliative therapy should be a goal for every patient. For those patients actively dying, palliation may be among the main benefits offered by the health care team. Appropriate palliation of pain begins with the use of effective strategies for recognizing, evaluating,and monitoring pain. Skill in pain management requires knowledge of both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies. This article focuses on expertise in the use of opiates to facilitate confident and appropriate pain therapy. To optimize palliative therapy, symptoms are best addressed by interdisciplinary care teams guided by models that acknowledge a continuum of curative therapies and palliative care.

The hidden error of mismanaged pain: a systems approach

Undertreatment of pain resulting in physiological, psychosocial, and economic consequences continues despite targeted improvement approaches. Starck et al. propose a systems framework for study of pain management errors. This secondary analysis examined pain outcomes of hospitalized inpatients to determine factors predicting adequate pain management. Data were collected from 964 hospitalized adult patients in the southwestern United States. The American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire and a demographic and chart audit form were used to collect data. The Pain Management Index (PMI) was computed for all participants. Results revealed that 30% of patients were undertreated for pain, with 67.5% reporting severe worst pain ratings (7 on a 0-10 scale). Non-whites, the elderly, and women had significantly higher pain ratings and higher proportions of negative PMI scores. Logistic regression predicted adequate pain management based on analgesic rating, ethnicity, age, and educational level with 0.89 accuracy. The study findings support conceptualizing mismanagement of pain as a medical error. An intervention model describes the use of a systems approach to identify high risk patients and ensure effective pain management practices for all.

Randomized clinical trial to assess the effect of an educational programme designed to improve nurses' assessment and recording of postoperative pain

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of an intervention designed to improve postoperative pain assessment and recording by nurses.

METHODS

This cluster randomized clinical trial included two intervals of 3 months each: a preintervention observational study (period 1) followed by a period of intervention (period 2). Six surgical wards were randomly assigned to receive either an experimental intervention, including educational seminars for nurses on pain, pain assessment and the use of a visual analogue scale (n = 3), or standard care (control group; n = 3). The main outcome measures were the percentage of patients in whom pain was assessed, number of pain assessments per patient and postoperative pain intensity scores.

RESULTS

A total of 2278 patients were included. Significant improvements were found in the percentage of patients in whom pain was assessed and the number of daily pain assessments per patient in the intervention group between periods 1 and 2. In contrast, these outcomes were unchanged between the two intervals in wards randomized to standard care. During period 2, pain scores at 48 h were significantly decreased in the intervention wards compared with those in the control group.

CONCLUSION

An educational programme dedicated to nurses strongly increased the use of regular pain assessment, and may have contributed to a modest improvement in postoperative analgesia.