Cancer Pain Management and Education Programs

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Introduction

Cancer is a terminal condition that affects many patients. Although not all persons experience pain, those whose condition has spread to several parts will be unable to pursue their goals. Cancer pain can be sharp, achy, dull, or burning depending on the type. Many people use various methods to manage it. Researchers have also proposed various measures to guide and empower cancer patients to minimize pain. The paper below presents a detailed summary of a proposal aimed at examining how cancer patients can embrace education programs focusing on pain management practices.

Research Topic

The selected topic for the proposed research study is: Examining the Effectiveness of Education Programs about Pain Management and Treatment in Adults with Cancer. The use of this subject will ensure that the researcher identifies the best initiatives for empowering individuals with cancer to identify appropriate procedures for minimizing pain, lead healthy lives, and achieve their potential (Prevost, Delorme, Grach, Chvetzoff, & Hureau, 2015). This PICOT question will be considered throughout the study: In adults with cancer (P), how effective are education programs about pain management and options for pain treatment (I) verses no education (C) program in improving patient comfort while battling cancer (O) within six months (T)?

Background Information and Problem Statement

Most of the patients affected by cancer identify pain as a leading challenge or complication. When the tumor spreads or grows, it presses several organs, bones, and nerves. Some cancerous cells produce chemicals that cause pain after the body reacts with them. The use of powerful treatment methods makes it possible for patients to manage pain effectively. Unfortunately, most of the approaches individuals take into consideration can result in numerous problems.

Some of them include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Prevost et al. (2015) indicate that certain pain medications are useful in the reduction of cancer pain. Some of the common ache relievers include aspirin, ibuprofen (such as Motrin IB and Advil), and acetaminophen. Opioid drugs are also appropriate whenever treating cancer pain, including oxycodone, fentanyl, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, and oxymorphone. Therapies such as massage, hypnosis, meditation, relaxation, physical therapy, and acupressure are also effective.

Unfortunately, there are certain factors that make it hard for patients to receive high-quality treatment for pain. For instance, there are individuals who are usually afraid of becoming addicted to the prescribed drugs. Side effects such as fatigue, hair loss, mouth sores, and ulcers are also common. Currently, the number of cancer patients receiving adequate support and care is quite low (Oldenmenger et al., 2018). This gap explains why there is a need for practitioners to present evidence-based strategies that can empower more adults with this terminal condition to manage and teat pain efficiently. The final research is expected to offer superior procedures for managing cancer pain.

Research Questions

  • What are the major challenges many cancer patients face?
  • How effective are educational programs about pain management and options for cancer pain treatment?
  • What are the roles of social workers, nurse practitioners, and family members in supporting and empowering patients with cancer to manage pain successfully?

Methodology

A powerful research design is needed if the proposed study is to be completed in a timely manner and deliver evidence-based ideas for transforming the experiences of many patients suffering from cancer. A quasi-experimental study approach will be appropriate for the proposed research study. This model will ensure that the efficacy of education programs focusing on pain treatment and treatment in cancer patients is understood. The targeted participants will be divided into these two groups: experimental and control (Oldenmenger et al., 2018). The first one will include individuals who will receive the intended treatment or education program. The second group will undergo normal clinical procedures. All participants will be requested to fill out an informed consent form.

These independent variables will be considered throughout the study: educational programs, research period, and cancer pain. The dependent variables will include the health outcomes and experiences of the targeted patients, healthcare costs, and participants involvement in personal activities (Prevost et al., 2015). Such variables will ensure that high-quality information is collected.

The experimental group will receive group-based pain management competencies and ideas for a period of twelve weeks. The programs will focus on non-pharmacological pain management procedures and patient education. The gathered data from the experimental and non-experimental (or control) groups will be compared using T-tests (Oldenmenger et al., 2018). The researcher will use the information gained after conducting the proposed statistical analysis to develop the most appropriate discussions, recommendations, and conclusions for the final paper. This means that the study will present superior insights that practitioners and physicians can embrace in order to address the diverse needs of more patients facing the challenge of cancer pain.

Conclusion

Cancer patients can manage pain effectively if they receive adequate support and resources. The proposed research paper will examine the effectiveness of evidence-based education programs in empowering the targeted patients. The targeted findings will guide practitioners to meet the diverse needs of their cancer patients and make it easier for them to lead quality lives.

References

Oldenmenger, W. H., Geerling, J. I., Mostovaya, I., Vissers, K. C., de Graeff, A., Reyners, A. K., & van der Linden, Y. M. (2018). A systematic review of the effectiveness of patient-based educational interventions to improve cancer-related pain. Cancer Treatment Reviews, 63, 96-103. Web.

Prevost, V., Delorme, C., Grach, M., Chvetzoff, G., & Hureau, M. (2015). Therapeutic education in improving cancer pain management: A synthesis of available studies. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 33(6), 599-612. Web.

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