title: How do nurses in specialist palliative care assess and manage breakthrough cancer pain? A multicentre study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To gain a better understanding of how registered nurses working in specialist palliative care assess and manage breakthrough cancer pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mixed-methodology study was undertaken in two stages-this paper reports findings from stage two. Anonymous postal questionnaires, designed based on themes identified in interviews undertaken during stage one, were sent to trained nurses working in ten specialist palliative care services in England.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 104 questionnaires were returned. Respondents were experienced nurses mainly working in inpatient settings. Some 82% of the nurses wanted more training on the assessment of breakthrough cancer pain. Although there were inconsistencies around the use of terminology, pain management appeared to be good.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of terminology in the field of breakthrough cancer pain remains variable. However, this does not appear to have a negative impact on patient management, which was broadly in line with recently published consensus recommendations. There is a desire for more education within this area of practice.
authors.affiliation: Palliative Medicine Consultant, The Priscilla Bacon Centre for Specialist Palliative Care Services, Colman Hospital, Unthank Road, Norwich, England.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Soden
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alloway
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barclay
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: Lydia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bird
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Perkins
mesh_terms: D059390:Breakthrough Pain / Q000451:nursing*; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010166:Palliative Care; D013041:Specialties, Nursing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires