The PRO-SELF pain control program improves patients' knowledge of cancer pain management.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of a psychoeducational program (i.e., PRO-SELF Pain Control Program) compared to standard care in increasing patients' knowledge regarding cancer pain management.


METHODS
Randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
Seven outpatient settings in northern California.


METHODS
174 outpatients with cancer and pain from bone metastasis.


METHODS
Following randomization into either the PRO-SELF or standard care group, patients completed the Pain Experience Scale (PES) prior to and at the completion of the intervention.


METHODS
Total and individual item scores on the PES.


RESULTS
Total PES knowledge scores increased significantly in the PRO-SELF group (21%) compared to the standard care group (0.5%). Significant improvements in knowledge scores for patients in the PRO-SELF group were found on five of the nine PES items when compared to baseline scores.


CONCLUSIONS
The PRO-SELF Pain Control Program was an effective approach to increase patients' knowledge of cancer pain management.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of a structured paper-and-pencil questionnaire, such as the PES, as part of a psychoeducational intervention provides an effective foundation for patient education in cancer pain management. Oncology nurses can use patients' responses to this type of questionnaire to individualize the teaching and to spend more time on the identified knowledge deficits. This individualized approach to education about pain management may save staff time and improve patient outcomes.
Kim
Jung-Eun
JE
University of California Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA. chris.miaskowski@nursing.ucsf.edu
Dodd
Marilyn
M
West
Claudia
C
Paul
Steven
S
Facione
Noreen
N
Schumacher
Karen
K
Tripathy
Debu
D
Koo
Peter
P
Miaskowski
Christine
C
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation