Top

Supportive Care in Cancer

Published in:

01-12-2014 | Original Article

Improving communication in cancer pain management nursing: a randomized controlled study assessing the efficacy of a communication skills training program

Authors: Delphine Canivet, Nicole Delvaux, Anne-Sophie Gibon, Cyrielle Brancart, Jean-Louis Slachmuylder, Darius Razavi

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 12/2014

Abstract

Purpose

Effective communication is needed for optimal cancer pain management. This study assessed the efficacy of a general communication skills training program for oncology nurses on communication about pain management.

Methods

A total of 115 nurses were randomly assigned to a training group (TG) or control group (CG). The assessment included the recording of interviews with a simulated cancer patient at baseline for both groups and after training (TG) or 3 months after baseline (CG). Two psychologists rated the content of interview transcripts to assess cancer pain management communication. Group-by-time effects were measured using a generalized estimating equation.

Results

Trained nurses asked the simulated patient more questions about emotions associated with pain (relative rate [RR] = 4.28, p = 0.049) and cognitions associated with pain treatment (RR = 3.23, p < 0.001) and used less paternalistic statements about cancer pain management (RR = 0.40, p = 0.006) compared with untrained nurses.

Conclusions

The general communication skills training program improved only a few of the communication strategies needed for optimal cancer pain management in nursing. General communication skills training programs should be consolidated using specific modules focusing on communication skills related to cancer pain management.

Sutton LM, Porter LS, Keefe FJ (2002) Cancer pain at the end of life: a biopsychosocial perspective. Pain 99:5–10PubMedCrossRef

Zaza C, Baine N (2002) Cancer pain and psychological factors: a critical review of the literature. J Pain Symptom Manag 24:526–542CrossRef

Laird BJ, Boyd AC, Colvin LA, Fallon MT (2009) Are cancer pain and depression interdependent? A systematic review. Psychooncology 18:459–464PubMedCrossRef

Glajchen M (2001) Chronic pain treatment barriers and strategies for clinical practice. J Am Board Fam Pract 14:211–218PubMed

Yates PM, Edwards HE, Nash RE, Walsh AM, Fentiman BJ, Skerman HM, Najman JM (2002) Barriers to effective cancer pain management: a survey of hospitalized cancer patients in Australia. J Pain Symptom Manag 23:393–405CrossRef

Potter VT, Wiseman CE, Dunn SM, Boyle FM (2003) Patient barriers to optimal cancer pain control. Psychooncology 12:153–160PubMedCrossRef

Flemming K (2010) The use of morphine to treat cancer-related pain: a synthesis of quantitative and qualitative research. J Pain Symptom Manag 39:139–154CrossRef

Butow P, Sharpe L (2013) The impact of communication on adherence in pain management. Pain 154:101–107CrossRef

Mosher CE, DuHamel KN, Egert J, Smith MY (2010) Self-efficacy for coping with cancer in a multiethnic sample of breast cancer patients: associations with barriers to pain management and distress. Clin J Pain 26:227–234PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

10.

Wells N, Hepworth JT, Murphy BA, Wujcik D, Johnson R (2003) Improving cancer pain management through patient and family education. J Pain Symptom Manag 25:344–356CrossRef

11.

Miaskowski C, Dodd M, West C, Schumacher K, Paul SM, Tripathy D, Koo P (2004) Randomized clinical trial of the effectiveness of a self-care intervention to improve cancer pain management. J Clin Oncol 22:1713–1720PubMedCrossRef

12.

Yates P, Edwards H, Nash R, Aranda S, Purdie DR, Najman J, Skerman H, Walsh A (2004) A randomized controlled trial of a nurse-administered educational intervention for improving cancer pain management in ambulatory settings. Patient Educ Couns 53:227–237PubMedCrossRef

13.

Menefee LA, Monte DA (2005) Nonpharmacologic and complementary approaches to cancer pain management. J Am Osteopath Assoc 105:15–20

14.

Ward SE, Donovan H, Gunnarsdottir S, Serlin RC, Shapiro GR, Hughes S (2008) A randomized trial of a representational intervention to decrease cancer pain. Health Psychol 27:59–67PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

15.

Smith MY, DuHamel KN, Egert J, Winkel G (2010) Impact of a brief intervention on patient communication and barriers to pain management: results from a randomized controlled trial. Patient Educ Couns 81:79–86PubMedCrossRef

16.

Street RL, Slee C, Kalauokalani DK, Evans Dean DE, Tancredi DJ, Kravitz RL (2010) Improving physician-patient communication about cancer pain with a tailored education-coaching intervention. Patient Educ Couns 80:42–47PubMedCrossRef

17.

Berry PH, Dahl JL (2000) The new JCAHO Pain Standards: implications for pain management nurses. Pain Manag Nurs 1:3–12PubMedCrossRef

18.

Howell D, Butler L, Vincent L, Watt-Watson J, Stearns N (2000) Influencing nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practice in cancer pain management. Cancer Nurs 23:55–63PubMedCrossRef

19.

Edwards HE, Nash RE, Yates PM, Walsh AM, Fentiman BJ, McDowell JK, Skerman HM, Najman JM (2001) Improving pain management by nurses: a pilot peer intervention program. Nurs Health Sci 3:35–45PubMedCrossRef

20.

Ger LP, Chang CY, Ho ST, Lee MC, Chiang HH, Chao CS, Lai KH, Huang J-M, Wang SC (2004) Effects of a continuing education program on nurses’ practices of cancer pain assessment and their acceptance of patients’ pain reports. J Pain Symptom Manag 27:61–71CrossRef

21.

Millard L, Hallett C, Luker K (2006) Nurse-patient interaction and decision-making in care: patient involvement in community nursing. J Adv Nurs 55:142–150PubMedCrossRef

22.

Smith MY, Winkel G, Egert J, Diaz-Wionczek M, DuHamel KN (2006) Patient-physician communication in the context of persistent pain: validation of a modified version of the Patients’ Perceived Involvement in Care Scale. J Pain Symptom Manag 32:71–81CrossRef

23.

Trummer UF, Mueller UO, Nowak P, Stidl T, Pelikan JM (2006) Does physician-patient communication that aims at empowering patients improve clinical outcome? A case study. Patient Educ Couns 61:299–306PubMedCrossRef

24.

Cormie PJ, Nairn M, Welsh J (2008) Control of pain in adults with cancer: summary of SIGN guidelines. BMJ 337:a2154PubMedCrossRef

25.

Kissane D, Bultz B, Butow P, Finlay I (2010) Communication skills training and research: the Brussels experience. In: Oxford University Press (ed) Handbook of communication in oncology and palliative care. New-York, pp 670-680

26.

Mead N, Bower P (2000) Patient-centredness: a conceptual framework and review of the empirical literature. Soc Sci Med 51:1087–1110PubMedCrossRef

27.

Dowsett SM, Saul JL, Butow PN, Dunn SM, Boyer MJ, Findlow R, Dunsmore J (2000) Communication styles in the cancer consultation: preferences for a patient-centred approach. Psychooncology 9:147–156PubMedCrossRef

28.

Stewart M, Brown JB, Donner A, McWhinney IR, Oates J, Weston WW, Jordan J (2000) The impact of patient-centered care on outcomes. J Fam Pract 49:796–804PubMed

29.

Krupat E, Bell RA, Kravitz RL, Thom D, Azari R (2001) When physicians and patients think alike: patient-centered beliefs and their impact on satisfaction and trust. J Fam Pract 50:1057–1062PubMed

30.

Charlton CR, Dearing KS, Berry JA, Johnson MJ (2008) Nurse practitioners’ communication styles and their impact on patient outcomes: an integrated literature review. J Am Acad Nurse Pract 20:382–388PubMedCrossRef

31.

Delvaux N, Razavi D, Marchal S, Brédart A, Farvacques C, Slachmuylder JL (2004) Effects of a 105 hours psychological training program on attitudes, communication skills and occupational stress in oncology: a randomised study. Br J Cancer 90:106–114PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

32.

Gibon A-S, Durieux J-F, Merckaert I, Delvaux N, Farvacques C, Libert Y, Marchal S, Moucheux A, Slachmuylder J-L, Razavi D (2010) Development of the Lacomm, a French medical communication analysis software: a study assessing its sensitivity to change. Psychooncology 19:133–134

33.

Razavi D, Delvaux N, Marchal S, Durieux JF, Farvacques C, Dubus L, Hogenraad R (2002) Does training increase the use of more emotionally laden words by nurses when talking with cancer patients? A randomised study. Br J Cancer 87:1–7PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

34.

Cohen-Cole S (1991) The medical interview: the three-function approach. Mosby Year Book, St Louis

35.

Delorme T, Wood C, Bataillard A, Pichard E, Dauchy S, Orbach D, Alibeu JP, Ricard C, Suc A, Boureau F, Rousmans S, Patte R (2004) Clinical practice guideline: standards, options and recommendations for pain assessment in adult and children with cancer (summary report). Bull Cancer 91:419–430PubMed

36.

Heaven C, Maguire P, Green C (2003) A patient-centred approach to defining and assessing interviewing competency. Epidemiol Psichiatr Soc 12:86–91PubMedCrossRef

37.

Spence Laschinger HK, Gilbert S, Smith LM, Leslie K (2010) Towards a comprehensive theory of nurse/patient empowerment: applying Kanter’s empowerment theory to patient care. J Nurs Manag 18:4–13PubMedCrossRef

38.

Nunes V, Neilson J, O'Flynn N, Calvert N, Kuntze S, Smithson H, Benson J, Blair J, Bowser A, Clyne W, Crome P, Haddad P, Hemingway S, Horne R, Johnson S, Kelly S, Packam B, Patel, Mahendra, Steel J (2009) National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2009) Medicines adherence: involving patients in decisions about prescribed medicines and supporting adherence. NICE: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. London, UK

39.

Zolnierek KB, DiMatteo MR (2009) Physician communication and patient adherence to treatment: a meta-analysis. Med Care 47:826–834PubMedCrossRef

40.

Moore M, Rivera Mercado S, Grez Artiques M, Lawrie T (2013) Communication skills training for healthcare professionals working with people who have cancer. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 3:CD00375

Title: Improving communication in cancer pain management nursing: a randomized controlled study assessing the efficacy of a communication skills training program
Authors: Delphine Canivet
Nicole Delvaux
Anne-Sophie Gibon
Cyrielle Brancart
Jean-Louis Slachmuylder
Darius Razavi
Publication date: 01-12-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 12/2014
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2357-2

Webinar | 19-02-2024 | 17:30 (CET)

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on antibody–drug conjugates in cancer

Watch now

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are novel agents that have shown promise across multiple tumor types. Explore the current landscape of ADCs in breast and lung cancer with our experts, and gain insights into the mechanism of action, key clinical trials data, existing challenges, and future directions.

Dr. Véronique Diéras

Prof. Fabrice Barlesi

Developed by: Springer Medicine

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 12/2014

Developing a palliative care service model for Muslim Middle Eastern countries

Reply to “The pain, the oncologist”

With regard to our manuscripts on the commercial saliva substitute, Oralbalance®—its formula has been changed

Glioblastoma multiforme from diagnosis to death: a prospective, hospital-based, cohort, pilot feasibility study of patient reported symptoms and needs

‘Knowledge is power’: perceived needs and preferred services of male partners of women newly diagnosed with breast cancer

The dyadic effects of coping and resilience on psychological distress for cancer survivor couples

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on antibody–drug conjugates in cancer