The role of a pharmacist in ambulatory cancer pain management.
Cancer pain is progressive and complex. The multidimensional character of cancer pain requires comprehensive management by a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals. Pharmacotherapy is a cornerstone of cancer pain management. Pharmacists who are engaged in ambulatory cancer pain management can play a pivotal role in the pharmacotherapy of cancer pain by optimizing medication therapy, monitoring outcomes, enhancing adherence through patient education regarding drug use, pain and symptom control, educating other health professionals and students, and conducting research. To fully meet the therapeutic challenges of cancer pain, pharmacists need to improve their knowledge and attitudes about cancer pain and pain medications.
Ratka
Anna
A
College of Pharmacy, Idaho State University, 975 South Fifth Street, Pocatello, ID, USA. karat@otc.isu.edu
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