Managing children's cancer pain in Morocco.
OBJECTIVE
To identify issues in managing pain of children with cancer in the two pediatric oncology centers in Morocco.


METHODS
Focus groups were conducted with pediatric oncology nurses and physicians.


RESULTS
Four themes were identified: (a) children's cancer pain is an overwhelming concern to the Moroccan nurses and physicians who participated in this study; (b) training and resources for children's cancer pain management are lacking in Morocco; (c) some impediments to pain relief were verbalized, such as a stoic approach to suffering and limited use of some drugs; and (d) a critical need exists for a comprehensive pain management approach for children with cancer in Morocco.


CONCLUSIONS
This study elucidated issues in managing children's cancer pain in Morocco and increased knowledge of current practice issues. A program of policy research has been initiated with the aim of establishing guidelines for practice policies for managing children's cancer pain in Morocco.
McCarthy
Patricia
P
Oncology Department, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. mccarthy-p@cheo.on.ca
Chammas
Georgette
G
Wilimas
Judith
J
Alaoui
Fouzia Msefer
FM
Harif
Mohamed
M
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel / Q000208:ethnology; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007393:International Educational Exchange; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods; D009018:Morocco; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014481:United States