title: What do Greek physicians know about managing cancer pain?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pain is prevalent in cancer patients. Although the World Health Organization has issued guidelines for treating pain in cancer patients, pain is often not treated optimally. Numerous barriers have been identified that prevent health care professionals from providing effective treatment for pain. The knowledge and attitudes of health care professionals with regard to pain and its impact on the patient are among them. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate knowledge about and attitudes toward cancer pain and its management among Greek oncologists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and general practitioners.
  
  
  METHODS
  Knowledge of the principles and methods of cancer pain treatment was assessed by a questionnaire distributed to a representative sample of 1,200 Greek physicians.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study results highlight very substantial knowledge deficits in the treatment of cancer pain by the evaluated physicians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cancer pain management in Greece is still developing, and the latest knowledge is spreading slowly but steadily.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Pain Relief and Palliative Care Unit, Areteion Hospital, University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mystakidou
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liossi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fragiadakis
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Georgaki
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Papadimitriou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires