Nationwide Survey of Pharmacist Involvement in Managing Cancer Pain in Children.

Background: Cancer pain distresses pediatric patients, affects quality of life, and is a psychological burden for families. The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of pharmacists in assisting children with cancer pain and their families.

Methods: Between February and May 2024, a nationwide questionnaire survey was conducted among hospital pharmacists from the Japanese Society for Pharmaceutical Palliative Care and Sciences. The survey examined pharmacist involvement with children <15 years of age with cancer pain and their families, particularly in pain assessment, explaining analgesic use, and managing psychological, social, and spiritual pain.

Results: Of 2,720 pharmacists, 219 (8.1%) responded, 57 of whom (26.0%) had pediatric palliative care experience. Most pharmacists performed pain assessments, provided analgesic explanations (86.0%), and intervened in psychological, social, and spiritual pain (54.4%). Among those who intervened, more than 90% either communicated with patients and their families or listened to their concerns. Pharmacists with ≥5 years of experience were significantly more involved in psychological, social, and spiritual pain than were those with <5 years of experience (odds ratio, 3.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-11.54). However, most pharmacists reported difficulties in pain assessment and providing analgesic explanations; the main reasons were "due to patient age and comprehension" (87.0%) and "reluctance to initiate opioid analgesics by patients or their families" (68.3%), respectively.

Conclusions: Pharmacists were actively engaged in pain management for children with cancer and their families. However, most reported difficulties, particularly in pain assessment and analgesic explanations. Therefore, educational programs should be developed to facilitate effective pain management.