Pain Relief in Areas of Deprivation and Conflict

Nia, Sam; Epstein, Jason H.

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-18005-8_48

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 23 publications

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“…However, despite developments in cancer pain management and guidelines, the pain often remains undertreated ( Jara et al, 2018 ), with up to 31% of patients’ cancer pain not effectively controlled ( Breivik et al, 2009 ). Ineffective cancer pain management is worse in developing countries, where treatment coverage is limited, and many patients with cancer do not receive appropriate pain management ( Ahmedzai et al, 2019 ; Makhlouf et al, 2023 ; Nia & Epstein, 2019 ). In these resource-limited countries, up to 80% of patients dying from cancer experience moderate to severe pain lasting, on average, for up to 90 days ( Knaul et al, 2018 ).…”

Section: Review Of Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Healthcare Providers’ Perceptions of the Cancer Pain Management Barriers at a Hospital in Zambia: A Qualitative Study

Mulonda,

Havenga,

de Villiers

2023

SAGE Open Nursing

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Introduction Cancer incidence and mortality are increasing worldwide, and pain is the most common symptom patients experience. Despite developments in cancer pain management and guidelines, the pain often remains undertreated. Effective pain management ultimately involves overcoming several complex institutional, patient, and healthcare provider-related barriers. Objective The objective of the study was to explore and describe healthcare providers’ perceptions of the cancer pain management barriers at a hospital in Zambia. Method A descriptive qualitative study was conducted. Data were collected from 10 purposively sampled medical doctors and registered nurses using prepiloted semistructured individual interviews. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was done, and trustworthiness was enhanced based on the criteria described by Lincoln and Guba. Ethical principles, as outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki, were adhered to. Results Three themes emerged, namely patient-related barriers (biographic characteristics, patient knowledge and perceptions), healthcare provider-related barriers (knowledge and perceptions and language barriers), and institution-related barriers (resource limitations and lack of standards and guidelines). Healthcare providers’ views that cultural beliefs about cancer being caused by witchcraft and the use of traditional medicine and services are barriers to cancer pain management were unique to this study. Conclusion Cancer pain management requires a total pain management approach that addresses the barriers to pain management strategies from a patient, healthcare provider, and institutional perspective. The knowledge deficit among patients and healthcare providers is a barrier to cancer pain management and one of the most common challenges reported in the literature. This study further points toward a need to develop culturally competent healthcare providers.

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