Factors Affecting Nurses’ Performance of Cancer Pain Management in a Tertiary Hospital

PURPOSE: More than 60% of patients with advanced cancer experience pain, and uncontrolled pain reduces the quality of life. Nurses are the closest healthcare providers to the patient and are suitable for managing cancer pain using pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. This study aimed to identify factors affecting the performance of cancer pain management among nurses. METHODS: This study was conducted among 155 participating nurses working at a tertiary hospital who had experience with cancer pain management. Data collection was performed between October 18, 2021 and October 25, 2021. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, the independent-sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and hierarchical regression analysis. RESULTS: There were 110 subjects (71.0%) who had no experience of cancer pain management education. The results of regression analysis indicated that barriers included medical staff, patients, and the hospital system for cancer pain management (β=0.28, P<0.001). The performance of cancer pain management was also affected by experience of cancer pain management training (β=0.22, P=0.007), and cancer pain management knowledge (β=0.21, P=0.006). The explanatory power of the variable was 16.6%. CONCLUSION: It is crucial to assess system-related obstacles, as well as patients and medical staff, in order to improve nurses’ cancer pain management performance. A systematic approach incorporating multidisciplinary interventions from interprofessional teams is required for effective pain management. Furthermore, pain management education is required both for cancer ward nurses and nurses in other wards.