Improving cancer pain management by homecare nurses.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the effects of a program, directed at homecare nurses, of structured educational interventions on the management of pain and opioid-related side effects in homecare patients with cancer.


METHODS
A longitudinal multilevel, randomized, controlled clinical trial.


METHODS
Midwestern region in the United States.


METHODS
202 nurses caring for patients with cancer recruited from homecare agencies.


METHODS
The two-tiered educational program focused on basic and advanced pain management strategies, particularly in the area of pharmacologic options and assertive communication skills. Instruments used were the Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain, the barriers questionnaire, perception of control over pain, and a demographic questionnaire.


METHODS
Knowledge and attitudes about pain management, barriers to pain management, and perception of control over pain.


RESULTS
Nurses in the intervention group had a significant increase in their knowledge, a more positive attitude about pain management, fewer perceived barriers to pain management, and an increase in perceived control over pain compared to the nurses who did not receive the intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
The educational program Power Over Pain has beneficial effects for homecare nurses caring for patients with cancer pain.


CONCLUSIONS
A need exists for homecare nurses to gain more insight into pain management strategies and enhance their advocacy skills to improve pain management for patients with cancer treated in the home.
Vallerand
April Hazard
AH
College of Nursing, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA. april.vallerand@wayne.edu
Riley-Doucet
Cheryl
C
Hasenau
Susan M
SM
Templin
Thomas
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers; D003469:Culture; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018574:Home Care Agencies; D006699:Home Care Services; D006701:Home Nursing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000193:education*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing*; D059408:Pain Management; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012494:Sampling Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population