title: Iranian nurses' perceptions of palliative care for patients with cancer pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to identify Iranian nurses' perceptions of palliative care for patients with cancer pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study took a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were held with 15 nurses with Bachelor's degrees working in three teaching hospitals in Iran. Transcripts of the interviews underwent content analysis, and categories were extracted from the material.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings came under two main categories: management of physical pain and psychological empowerment. Management of physical pain had two subcategories: the importance of communication, and pain palliation using drugs. Psychological empowerment also had two subcategories: supportive behaviour and distress reduction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The sample felt that palliative care for patients with cancer pain must include psychological empowerment, support, and communication as well as physical pain relief.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor of Nursing.
authors.forename: Naimeh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Seyedfatemi
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor of Nursing, Department of Nursing, Center for Nursing Care Research, Iran University of Medical Sciences.
authors.forename: Leili
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Borimnejad
authors.affiliation: Nursing PhD Candidate, Department of Nursing.
authors.forename: Marjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mardani Hamooleh
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor of Gynecology, Department of Medicine, and Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, East Nosrat Street, Tohid Square, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mamak
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tahmasebi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007492:Iran; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D059408:Pain Management / Q000451:nursing*; D010166:Palliative Care; D036301:Qualitative Research