Wang, Y., Huang, H., Zeng, Y., Wu, J., Wang, R., Ren, B., & Xu, F. (2013). Pharmacist-led medication education in cancer pain control: A multicentre randomized controlled study in Guangzhou, China. Journal of International Medical Research, 41, 1462–1472.

DOI Link

Study Purpose

To assess the impact of education on analgesic medication for patients with cancer-related pain

Intervention Characteristics/Basic Study Process

Patients were randomly assigned to control or education groups. The education group received three information booklets and eight face-to-face education and counseling sessions over four weeks. Clinical pharmacists contacted patients daily to review outcomes and made recommendations to physicians based on patient response.   Pharmacists received standardized training. Pharmacists assisted patients to complete study questionnaires.

Sample Characteristics

  • N = 237  
  • MEAN AGE = 51.3 years
  • AGE RANGE = 23–70 years
  • MALES: 79%, FEMALES: 21%
  • KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: More than 80% had metastatic disease; tumor types not reported

Setting

  • SITE: Multi-site   
  • SETTING TYPE: Inpatient   
  • LOCATION: China

Study Design

  • RCT

Measurement Instruments/Methods

  • Brief Pain Inventory

Results

Pain and analgesic knowledge increased significantly from baseline in both groups, and pain intensity and interference decreased significantly in both groups from baseline (p < .05). Knowledge improved the most in patients who had not previously used analgesics. Pain intensity declined more in the intervention group.

Conclusions

Education and counseling were associated with improvement in pain scores.

Limitations

  • Risk of bias (no blinding)
  • Risk of bias (no appropriate attentional control condition)
  • Selective outcomes reporting
  • Other limitations/explanation: Possibility of testing bias with repeated measure of the same tool. It is not clear if there was potential for contamination if the study was done in the same inpatient settings. It is stated that pharmacists made recommendations based on patient responses, but it is not stated if pain control regimens were changed during the study or what analgesics patients were receiving, so it is impossible to know if the education intervention was responsible for differences found.

Nursing Implications

The likely effectiveness of psychoeducation for improving pain control is known; this study supports that evidence in an inpatient setting.