Qiang Liu1, Lu-Lu Gao2, Ya-Liang Dai2, Yu Wang2, Hai-Xia Wang3, Xiang-Jiang Luo4, Xiao-Min Chai2, Guo-Xia Mu2, Xiao-Yan Liang4, Xi Zhang5, Juan Liu1, Jian-Qiang Yu6, Yu-Xiang Li7. 1. School of Nursing, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China. 2. School of Nursing, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China. 3. Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China. 4. Department of Medical Oncology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China. 5. Department of Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Institute of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China. 6. Department of Nursing, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China. 7. School of Nursing, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China; Institute of Nursing Research, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China. Electronic address: li_yuxiang@163.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Breakthrough pain is an extremely painful symptom that impairs quality of life in cancer patients. It negatively impacts their emotional wellbeing, physical function, and mental health. The aim of this study is to use a qualitative methodology to examine the perception of cancer patients with breakthrough pain in the Northwest of China. METHODS: A semi-structured, face-to-face interview was conducted with nine cancer patients who experienced breakthrough pain; and a qualitative content analysis was performed. RESULTS: Five themes were generated: (1) sufferings from breakthrough cancer pain, (2) hopelessness and helplessness, (3) perception of breakthrough cancer pain and analgesia, (4) strong as a Chinese, and (5) support needed from health care system. CONCLUSION: Although certain traditional cultural worldviews increase patients' acceptance of pain, healthcare providers need proper treatment guidelines to improve the quality of cancer patient care in Northwest China. We recommend that healthcare workers and hospital managers place cancer pain management in higher priority. Relevant pain management education programs should be provided to both healthcare providers and patients to improve their knowledge in these area. Healthcare professionals need to establish a mutual communication channel between patients and healthcare workers to meet patients' needs during breakthrough pain episodes in order to improve pain management. Nevertheless, the government and the healthcare system need to recognize the importance and urgency of palliative care services.
BACKGROUND:Breakthrough pain is an extremely painful symptom that impairs quality of life in cancerpatients. It negatively impacts their emotional wellbeing, physical function, and mental health. The aim of this study is to use a qualitative methodology to examine the perception of cancerpatients with breakthrough pain in the Northwest of China. METHODS: A semi-structured, face-to-face interview was conducted with nine cancerpatients who experienced breakthrough pain; and a qualitative content analysis was performed. RESULTS: Five themes were generated: (1) sufferings from breakthrough cancer pain, (2) hopelessness and helplessness, (3) perception of breakthrough cancer pain and analgesia, (4) strong as a Chinese, and (5) support needed from health care system. CONCLUSION: Although certain traditional cultural worldviews increase patients' acceptance of pain, healthcare providers need proper treatment guidelines to improve the quality of cancerpatient care in Northwest China. We recommend that healthcare workers and hospital managers place cancer pain management in higher priority. Relevant pain management education programs should be provided to both healthcare providers and patients to improve their knowledge in these area. Healthcare professionals need to establish a mutual communication channel between patients and healthcare workers to meet patients' needs during breakthrough pain episodes in order to improve pain management. Nevertheless, the government and the healthcare system need to recognize the importance and urgency of palliative care services.
Authors: Sophie I van Dongen; Kim de Nooijer; Jane M Cramm; Anneke L Francke; Wendy H Oldenmenger; Ida J Korfage; Frederika E Witkamp; Rik Stoevelaar; Agnes van der Heide; Judith Ac Rietjens Journal: Palliat Med Date: 2020-02 Impact factor: 4.762