Pain management nursing in oncologic hospital in Albania

Background

Cancer pain management is still unsatisfactory, although some guidelines exist. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge, practices and perceived barriers regarding cancer pain management among nurses in oncologic hospital in Albania

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study comprised of a questionnaire survey that was administered to nurses involved in the care of cancer patients. Questionnaire items covered pain assessment and documentation practices, knowledge regarding cancer pain management, the perceived barriers to cancer pain control, and processes perceived as the major causes of delay in opioid administration.

Results

A total of 361 nurses participated in the study (9.97% (36) from them were males and 90.03% (325) were females). It was noticed a very strong significant correlation among the level of education that the nurses possess and the offer of health care to cancer patients provide (OR = 3.1, 95%CI 1.5 – 6.1 p 

Conclusions

This study has provided a forecast over the knowledge, the approaches and the pain management of nurses that work in the oncologic hospital of Tirana, Albania. The results of the study have verified enormous information deficiencies and multiple barriers that nurses face while giving health care to cancer patients which may have negative impacts in the distribution of health care and poor quality of life. An effective educational policy for cancer ache management is required so as to develop nurses' comprehension and clinical practices.

Clinical trial identification

Legal entity responsible for the study

N/A

Funding

University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.