A survey of perceptions, attitudes, knowledge and practices of medical oncologists about cancer pain management in Spain. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • PURPOSE: To monitor oncologists' perspective on cancer pain management. METHODS: An anonymized survey was conducted in two waves. First, over a convenience sample of oncologists known to be particularly concerned with the management of pain. Second, using a random sample of oncologists. RESULTS: In total, 73 and 82 oncologists participated in the first and second wave, respectively. Many oncologists reported to have good knowledge of analgesic drugs (95.9%), the mechanism of action of opioids (79.5%), and good skills to manage opioid-related bowel dysfunction (76.7%). Appropriate adjustment of background medication to manage breakthrough pain was reported by 95.5% of oncologists. Additionally, 87.7% (68.3% in the second wave, p = 0.035) of oncologists reported suitable opioid titration practices, and 90.4% reported to use co-adjuvant medications for neuropathic pain confidently. On the other hand, just 9.6% of oncologists participated in multidisciplinary pain management teams, and merely 30.3 and 27.1% reported to routinely collaborate with the Pain Clinics or involve other staff, respectively. Only 26.4% of the oncologists of the second wave gave priority to pain pathophysiology to decide therapies, and up to 75.6% reported difficulties in treating neuropathic pain. Significantly less oncologists of the second wave (82.9 vs. 94.5%, p = 0.001) used opioid rotation routinely. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike in previous surveys, medical oncologists reported in general good knowledge and few perceived limitations and barriers for pain management. However, multi-disciplinary management and collaboration with other specialists are still uncommon. Oncologists' commitment to optimize pain management seems important to improve and maintain good practices.

publication date

  • May 2, 2018

Research

keywords

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Neoplasms
  • Oncologists
  • Pain
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 85049833313

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1007/s12094-017-1826-8

PubMed ID

  • 29721765

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 20

issue

  • 8