PURPOSE: Previous studies found that African American and Hispanic cancer patients are at risk for undertreatment of pain. We evaluated the efficacy of a pain education intervention for underserved minority patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-seven underserved African American and Hispanic outpatients with cancer-related pain were enrolled onto a randomized clinical trial of pain management education. The patients in the education group received a culture-specific video and booklet on pain management. The control group received a video and booklet on nutrition. A research nurse met with each patient to review the materials. We measured changes in pain intensity and pain-related interference 2 to 10 weeks after the intervention, as well as changes in quality of life, perceived pain control, functional status, analgesics, and physician pain assessments. RESULTS: Physicians underestimated baseline pain intensity and provided inadequate analgesics for more than 50% of the sample. Although the ratings for pain intensity and pain interference decreased over time for both groups, there was no statistically significant difference between groups. Pain education did not affect quality of life, perceived pain control, or functional status. African American patients in the education but not the control group reported a significant decrease in pain worst ratings from baseline to first follow-up (P < .01), although this decrease was not maintained at subsequent assessments. CONCLUSION: Brief education had limited impact on pain outcomes for underserved minority patients, suggesting that more intensive education for patients and interventions for physicians are needed.
RCT Entities:
PURPOSE: Previous studies found that African American and Hispanic cancerpatients are at risk for undertreatment of pain. We evaluated the efficacy of a pain education intervention for underserved minority patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-seven underserved African American and Hispanic outpatients with cancer-related pain were enrolled onto a randomized clinical trial of pain management education. The patients in the education group received a culture-specific video and booklet on pain management. The control group received a video and booklet on nutrition. A research nurse met with each patient to review the materials. We measured changes in pain intensity and pain-related interference 2 to 10 weeks after the intervention, as well as changes in quality of life, perceived pain control, functional status, analgesics, and physician pain assessments. RESULTS: Physicians underestimated baseline pain intensity and provided inadequate analgesics for more than 50% of the sample. Although the ratings for pain intensity and pain interference decreased over time for both groups, there was no statistically significant difference between groups. Pain education did not affect quality of life, perceived pain control, or functional status. African American patients in the education but not the control group reported a significant decrease in pain worst ratings from baseline to first follow-up (P < .01), although this decrease was not maintained at subsequent assessments. CONCLUSION: Brief education had limited impact on pain outcomes for underserved minority patients, suggesting that more intensive education for patients and interventions for physicians are needed.
Authors: Karen L Syrjala; Janet R Abrams; Nayak L Polissar; Jennifer Hansberry; Jeanne Robison; Stuart DuPen; Mark Stillman; Marvin Fredrickson; Saul Rivkin; Eric Feldman; Julie Gralow; John W Rieke; Robert J Raish; Douglas J Lee; Charles S Cleeland; Anna DuPen Journal: Pain Date: 2008-01-08 Impact factor: 6.961
Authors: Evelien H van der Peet; Marieke H J van den Beuken-van Everdingen; Jacob Patijn; Harry C Schouten; Maarten van Kleef; Annemie M Courtens Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2008-12-23 Impact factor: 3.603