title: The PRO-SELF pain control program improves family caregivers' knowledge of cancer pain management.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The majority of cancer treatment is provided in outpatient settings. Family caregivers' (FCs') knowledge and beliefs about pain and its management are critical components of effective care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study's aim was to evaluate the efficacy of a psychoeducational intervention, compared with control, to increase FCs' knowledge of cancer pain management.
  
  
  METHODS
  Family caregivers of oncology outpatients were randomized together with the patients into the PRO-SELF Pain Control Program (n = 58) or a control group (n = 54). Family caregivers completed a demographic questionnaire and the Family Pain Questionnaire (FPQ) at the beginning and end of the study to assess their knowledge about pain and its management. The intervention consisted of nurse coaching, home visits, and phone calls that occurred over 6 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred twelve FCs (60% female) with a mean age of 63 (SD, 10.7) years participated. Compared with FCs in the control group, FCs in the PRO-SELF group had significantly higher knowledge scores on all of the single items on the FPQ, except for the item "cancer pain can be relieved," as well as for the total FPQ score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of a knowledge and attitude survey like the FPQ, as part of a psychoeducational intervention provides an effective foundation for FC education about cancer pain management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oncology nurses can use FCs' responses to the FPQ to individualize teaching and spend more time on identified knowledge deficits. This individualized approach to FC education may save staff time and improve patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Author Affiliations: Faculty of Nursing, Oslo and Akershus University College (Drs Valeberg and Småstuen), and Cancer Clinic, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål (Ms Kolstad), Norway; Department of Physiological Nursing, University of California, San Francisco (Dr Miaskowski); and Emergency Care Clinic, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål (Dr Rustøen), and Lovisenberg Diaconal College, Oslo (Dr Rustøen), Norway.
authors.forename: Berit T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Valeberg
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kolstad
authors.forename: Milada C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Småstuen
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miaskowski
authors.forename: Tone
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rustøen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006792:House Calls; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing*; D010045:Outpatients; D059408:Pain Management / Q000451:nursing*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone