Knowledge and Attitudes About Cancer Pain Management: A Comparison of Oncology and Nononcology Nurses

Patricia Rushton

Dennis Eggett

Carolyn W. Sutherland

ONF 2003, 30(5), 849-855. DOI: 10.1188/03.ONF.849-855

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.

Jump to a section

    References

    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.