The Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Cancer Pain Management among Nurses working in Cancer Center; An experience from Qatar

Khadra Yassin (1)
Asma Al Bulushi (1)
Nima Ali (1)
Zeinab Idris (1)
Ziad Abuessa (1)
Mohamed Yassin (1)
Ziyad Mahfoud (2)

(1) National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha-Qatar
(2) Weill Cornell Medicine, Doha, Qatar

Corresponding Author:
Khadra S Yassin
National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation,
Doha, Qatar
Email: Kyassin@hamad.qa

Received: September 2020; Accepted: October 2020; Published: November 1, 2020
Citation: Khadra Yassin et al. The Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Cancer Pain Management Among Nurses Working In Cancer Center; An Experience From Qatar. Middle East Journal of Nursing 2020; 14(2): 3-11. DOI: 10.5742/MEJN2020.93788

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ABSTRACT

Purpose: The study aims to explore pain knowledge and attitudes of oncology nurses working in Qatar. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used to explore nurse's knowledge and attitudes about cancer pain. The Nurses Knowledge and Attitude Survey Regarding Pain (NKASRP) survey was used. The NKASRP score differences were examined among nurses with varying demographics, levels of pain education and experience. Population of 159 oncology nurses working at National Center of Cancer Care and research (NCCCR) Qatar.

Results: The Mean NKASRP was 58%, significantly below the passing score of 80%. Nurses in palliative care unit scored significantly higher (<0.01) than nurses in other units (Hematology/Oncology). No significant differences between sex, age, and educational level were found.

Conclusion: The present study provides important information about knowledge deficit in pain management among oncology nurses and limited training regarding pain management. Palliative care nurses' scores were significantly higher than nurses in other (Hematology/Oncology) units and this was a result of a specialized palliative care course given to them. Our results support the universal concern of inadequate knowledge and attitudes of nurses regarding cancer pain. There is a need for more effective evidence-based educational programs in cancer pain management. Evaluation of the current educational pain program is also needed.

Key words: Middle East, Palliative, Cancer, Health Care Experience, Beliefs