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Australian survey of current practice and guideline use in adult cancer pain assessment and management: perspectives of oncologists.
- Source :
-
Asia-Pacific journal of clinical oncology [Asia Pac J Clin Oncol] 2014 Jun; Vol. 10 (2), pp. e99-107. Date of Electronic Publication: 2012 Dec 17. - Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- Aims: Cancer pain continues to be undertreated in up to half of cases, despite the availability of evidence-based guidelines. This study aimed to: (i) identify barriers and facilitators to adult cancer pain assessment and management, as perceived by Australian health professionals; (ii) establish the perceived need for new Australian guidelines and implementation strategy; (iii) identify which guidelines are used; (iv) identify barriers and facilitators to guideline use. This article focuses on the perceptions of responding oncologists.<br />Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered online. Invitations were circulated via peak bodies and clinical leaders. Comments were coded independently by two researchers.<br />Results: In all 76 oncologists self-reported high concordance with evidence-based recommendations, except validated pain scales. Perceived barriers to pain management included insufficient non-pharmacological interventions, access to /coordination between services, and time. Only 22 percent of respondents reported using pain guidelines. Perceived barriers to guideline use included lack of access, awareness and any single standard. Respondents were generally supportive of new Australian guidelines and especially an implementation strategy.<br />Conclusion: Barriers to evidence-based practice and guideline use identified by our survey might be addressed via a clinical pathway that gives step-by-step guidance on evidence-based practice along with a framework for evaluation. Particular attention should be paid to promoting use of validated scales, patient education and non-pharmacological interventions, training of an appropriately skilled workforce and improving care coordination. Challenges are discussed.<br /> (© 2012 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.)
- Subjects :
- Adult
Australia
Cross-Sectional Studies
Data Collection
Disease Management
Humans
Medical Oncology methods
Medical Oncology standards
Pain Management methods
Pain Management standards
Pain Measurement methods
Pain Measurement standards
Practice Guidelines as Topic
Practice Patterns, Physicians' standards
Guideline Adherence statistics & numerical data
Medical Oncology statistics & numerical data
Neoplasms complications
Neoplasms therapy
Pain Management statistics & numerical data
Pain Measurement statistics & numerical data
Practice Patterns, Physicians' statistics & numerical data
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1743-7563
- Volume :
- 10
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Asia-Pacific journal of clinical oncology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 23253101
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/ajco.12040