Purpose/Objectives: To obtain information about the knowledge and attitudes of Utah nurses concerning cancer pain management.
Design: Descriptive study.
Setting: Nurses in Utah.
Sample: 44 oncology nurses and 303 nononcology nurses completed the study.
Methods: Ferrell's Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain was given to oncology and nononcology nurses to compare knowledge and attitudes about treating cancer pain.
Main Research Variables: Knowledge and attitudes regarding cancer pain.
Findings: Attitudes of oncology nurses were more in line with recommended practices (principles) of cancer pain management than those of nononcology nurses. Oncology nurses had a better understanding of recommended practices (principles) of cancer pain management than nononcology nurses but still struggled with understanding the pharmacology of medications used to manage cancer pain.
Conclusions: Nurses do not use evidence-based practice in pain management consistently. Continuing education regarding cancer pain management remains important for oncology and nononcology nurses.
Implications for Nursing: Adoption of evidence-based practice requires ongoing education of nurses and support from nursing colleagues, nursing administration, and associated healthcare providers. Data from this study can be used to design a curriculum involving content about cancer pain management. All members of the healthcare team should be supported in practicing the correct principles of cancer pain management in actual practice.
Anderson, K.O., Mendoza, T.R., Valero, V., Richman, S.P., Russell, C., Hurley, J., et al. (2000). Minority cancer patients and their providers: Pain management attitudes and practice. Cancer, 88, 1929-1938.
Dalton, J.A. (1989). Nurses' perceptions of their pain assessment skills, pain management practices, and attitudes toward pain. Oncology Nursing Forum, 16, 225-231.
Ferrell, B.R. (1994). Patient pain questionnaire. Retrieved June 25, 2003, from http://www.cityofhope.org/prc/pdf/pt_pain.pdf?DROP=%23#
Ferrell, B.R., McCaffery, M., & Rhiner, M. (1992). Pain and addiction: An urgent need for change in nursing education. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 7, 117-124.
Ferrell, B.R., McGuire, D.B., & Donovan, M.I. (1993). Knowledge and beliefs regarding pain in a sample of nursing faculty. Journal of Professional Nursing, 9, 79-88.
Fox, L.S. (1982). Pain management in the terminally ill cancer patient: An investigation of nurses' attitudes, knowledge, and clinical practice. Military Medicine, 147, 455-460.
Holzheimer, A., McMillan, S.C., & Weitzner, M. (1999). Improving pain outcomes of hospice patients with cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum, 26, 1499-1504.
Howell, D., Butler, L., Vincent, L., Watt-Watson, J., & Stearns, N. (2000). Influencing nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practice in cancer pain management. Cancer Nursing, 23, 55-63.
Jacox, A., Carr, D.B., Payne, R., et al. (1994). Management of cancer pain. Clinical Practice Guideline No. 9 [AHCPR Publication No. 94-0592]. Rockville, MD: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research.
Joranson, D.E., & Gilson, A.M. (1998). Regulatory barriers to pain management. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 14, 158-163.
Marks, R.M., & Sachar, E.J. (1973). Undertreatment of medical inpatients with narcotic analgesics. Annals of Internal Medicine, 78, 173-181.
McCaffery, M.S., & Ferrell, B.R. (1992). Opioid analgesics: Nurses' knowledge of doses and psychological dependence. Journal of Nursing Staff Development, 8, 77-84.
McCaffery, M.S., & Ferrell, B.R. (1995). Nurses' knowledge about cancer pain: A survey of five countries. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 10, 356-367.
McCaffery, M.S., & Ferrell, B.R. (1997). Nurses' knowledge of pain assessment and management: How much progress have we made? Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 14, 175-188.
McCaffery, M.S., Ferrell, B.R., O'Neil-Page, E., Lester, M., & Ferrell, B. (1990). Nurses' knowledge of opioid analgesic drugs and psychological dependence. Cancer Nursing, 13, 21-27.
Myers, J.S. (1985). Cancer pain: Assessment of nurses' knowledge and attitudes. Oncology Nursing Forum, 12(4), 62-66.
O'Brien, S., Dalton, J.A., Konsler, G., & Carlson, J. (1996). The knowledge and attitudes of experienced oncology nurses regarding the management of cancer-related pain. Oncology Nursing Forum, 23, 515-521.
Paice, J.A., Toy, C., & Shott, S. (1998). Barriers to cancer pain relief: Fear of tolerance and addiction. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 16, 1-9.
Pritchard, A.P. (1988). Management of pain and nursing attitudes. Cancer Nursing, 11, 203-209.
Ruzicka, D.L., & Daniels, D. (2001). Implementing a pain management service at an army medical center. Military Medicine, 166, 146-151.
Sheidler, V.R., McGuire, D.B., Grossman, S.A., & Gilbert, M.R. (1992). Analgesic decision-making skills of nurses. Oncology Nursing Forum, 19, 1531-1534.
Spross, J.A., McGuire, D.B., & Schmitt, R.M. (1990). Oncology Nursing Society position paper on cancer pain: Part I. Oncology Nursing Forum, 19, 595-614.
Strevy, S.R. (1998). Myths and facts about pain. RN, 61(2), 42-45.
Watt-Watson, J.H. (1987). Nurses' knowledge of pain issues: A survey. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 2, 207-211.
Wells, N. (2000). Pain intensity and pain interference in hospitalized patients with cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum, 27, 985-991.