title: A Canadian online survey of oncology nurses' perspectives on the management of breakthrough pain in cancer (BTPc).
abstract: This paper explores Canadian oncology nurses' perception of management of breakthrough pain in cancer (BTPc). An online questionnaire was distributed to 668 oncology nurses across Canada, and 201 participated. More nurses reported that patients used hydromorphone (99.5%), morphine (97.0%), codeine (88.1%), or oxycodone (88.1%) for BTPc, than fentanyl preparations (64.7%). Problems with opioid administration reported by nurses included failure to work quickly enough (35.7%), difficulty swallowing (16.6%), need for caregiver assistance (13.2%), mouth sores (12.6%) and dry mouth (11.5%). Although most nurses discussed BTPc management with their patients, the vast majority (72.2%) were not very satisfied with current treatment modalities. Effective dialogue with patients and access to educational resources/tools may help optimize therapy and enhance concordance with BTPc medications.
authors.affiliation: Odette Cancer Centre T2-234, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5.
authors.forename: Margaret I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Fitch
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McAndrew
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Burlein-Hall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D000078329:Workforce; D055815:Young Adult