The PRO-SELF(c): Pain Control Program--an effective approach for cancer pain management.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the PRO-SELF(c): Pain Control Program, an educational approach that provides patients and family caregivers with the knowledge, skills, and nursing support needed to improve pain relief.


METHODS
Published research studies, articles, and conference abstracts.


RESULTS
Patients with cancer and family caregivers lack knowledge about pain management and side effects. Engaging in self-care behaviors improves patients' health outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
The PRO-SELF: Pain Control Program is an effective approach that can be used to help patients with cancer and their family caregivers obtain the knowledge and skills that are needed to manage pain. Three key strategies for delivering the PRO-SELF program are (a) provision of information using academic detailing, (b) skill building with ongoing nurse coaching, and (c) interactive nursing support.


CONCLUSIONS
Adequate pain relief is vital to decreasing cancer morbidity and improving patients' quality of life. The PRO-SELF: Pain Control Program should be implemented in all settings where cancer care takes place.
West
Claudia M
CM
School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Dodd
Marilyn J
MJ
Paul
Steven M
SM
Schumacher
Karen
K
Tripathy
Debu
D
Koo
Peter
P
Miaskowski
Christine
C
D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000451:nursing; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D014743:Videotape Recording
D000700:Analgesics