A nationwide survey of knowledge of and compliance with cancer pain management guidelines by korean physicians.
OBJECTIVE
Although cancer pain is prevalent, under-treatment still remains a problem. Knowledge of and compliance with guidelines for management of cancer pain were analyzed for exploration of physician-related barriers to cancer pain management. In addition, physicians' knowledge and its correlation with cancer pain control were audited.


METHODS
From July 8 to December 2, 2010, a nationwide survey of house staff enquired about their knowledge of cancer pain control guidelines, and the medical records of patients under their care were analyzed.


RESULTS
In total, 180 physicians participated in the study. Their average score for knowledge was 14.6 (range, 7 to 19; maximum possible, 20). When the knowledge score was divided into low, medium, and high scores, patients receiving care from physicians with high levels of knowledge tended to have better cancer pain control (p<0.001). Of the total patients with severe pain, 19.5% were not prescribed strong opioids, and 40% were not prescribed any medication for breakthrough pain.


CONCLUSIONS
Physicians' knowledge of guidelines for control of cancer pain showed an association with improvement of pain management. Overall adherence to the guidelines was lacking. Continuous interventions such as education and audits regarding cancer pain control guidelines for physician are needed.
Department of Internal Medicine, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea.
Do Yeun
DY
Kim
Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jin Seok
JS
Ahn
Department of Internal Medicine, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
Kyung Hee
KH
Lee
Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Korea.
Young Chul
YC
Kim
Department of Biostatistics, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Juneyoung
J
Lee
Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Si-Young
SY
Kim
Analgesics; Compliance; Guideline; Knowledge; Neoplasms; Pain