Increasing Pain Related Communication Skills to Improve Pain Management in Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients

摘要

The goal of the study is to improve the management of pain related to metastatic breast cancer (MBC) through a psycho-social intervention. Although clinical guidelines for the treatment of pain have been issued, under-treatment of pain in MBC patients remains a problem. This study builds upon prior research which has identified poor patient-provider communication as a key barrier to adequate cancer pain management. MBC patients are randomly assigned to either a pain communication skills (PCS) intervention or a nutrition education control condition. The impact of the PCS intervention will be evaluated by comparing the misconceptions about pain and pain treatment, level of pain, psychological adjustment, and quality of life of MBC patients who receive the POS intervention to those who receive the nutrition education. Patients undergo four interviews using standardized measures before and after receiving the POS intervention or nutrition education. To date, twenty- seven patients have been recruited. Preliminary results indicate that study participants have moderate to severe pain and have many misconceptions about pain and pain treatment. These misconceptions are most prevalent among Latinas. The study results will indicate the impact of a PCS intervention on MBC patients' misconceptions, level of pain, psychological distress, and quality of life.