Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Perceived Barriers on Palliative Care Pain Management among the Healthcare Providers: A Single Centre Study

Abstract

Healthcare providers’ knowledge and attitude on cancer pain control remain a debatable topic. The study aims to determine the knowledge, attitude, practice and perceived barriers among the healthcare providers in delivering effective analgesic in palliative care. A cross-sectional study was conducted among the specialists and post-graduate students from the medical and surgical programme using the convenience sampling method. A set of questionnaires related to the pain management in palliative patients was distributed. The questionnaire covered demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, practice, and perceived barrier regarding cancer pain management. A total of 300 questionnaires were analysed with 75% response rate. About two-third (66.3%) of the respondents have knowledge deficit to prescribe opioids in pain management of palliative care patients. The medical specialty and lacking pain management training were significant factors associated with knowledge deficit. About half (48.3%) of the respondents thought that cancer pain therapy could be satisfactorily achieved as an outcome and 58.7% respondents admitting to practice daily pain assessment in patients with cancer. The main perceived barriers in managing pain for palliative patients were inadequate pain assessment (71.2%) and inadequate staff knowledge (53.6%). The knowledge differences among the different medical specialties and lack of pain management training have significantly impacted the pain management in palliative patients. A targeted educational strategy for pain management in palliative care patients is needed to improve physicians’ knowledge and clinical practice.