Evaluation of a whole process management model based on an information system for cancer patients with pain: A prospective nonrandomized controlled study

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of whole process management model interventions based on information system benefits reported by patients with cancer pain. METHODS: We performed a quantitative, prospective nonrandomized controlled design from June to October 2020. A total of 124 cancer patients with pain were enrolled. Patients in the experimental group received a whole process management model intervention based on an information system compared to the control group who received routine cancer pain management. Data were collected at baseline and after a four-week follow-up, acting as a test-retest control. The primary outcome was pain management quality, which was measured using the American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire-Chinese version (APS-POQ-C). Secondary outcomes were patient-related attitudinal barriers and analgesic adherence. The Barrier Questionnaire (BQ) and a single-item questionnaire were used. Chi-square tests were used to compare the pain intensity and analgesic adherence, independent sample t-test and Mann–Whitney U test were performed to test the differences in the pain management quality and patient-related attitudinal barriers between control and experimental groups. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics and outcomes of the participants did not differ significantly (P ​> ​0.05). Primary outcomes were changes in four aspect of the quality of pain management (APS-POQ-C) between the two groups (P ​< ​0.05). Patients in the whole process management group reported significantly better pain control and perception of care than the control group. With respect to secondary endpoints, a significant difference in favor of the experimental group was found for barriers (P ​< ​0.05) and medication adherence (60.0% vs. 40.0%; P ​< ​0.05) after the interventions. CONCLUSIONS: The whole process management of patients with cancer pain effectively improves patient-reported quality of pain management, reduces patient-perceived barriers, enhances patient adherence to analgesic drugs and is worthy of clinical application.