Positive Health Online

Abstract

ZAZA and colleagues, Department of Oncology, University of Western Ontario, Canada. zaza@julian.uwo.ca write that cancer patients suffer unnecessarily due to the inadequate use of pain medication and other interventions, contributed in part by the under-utilisation of nonpharmacological strategies (NPS) . The authors studied health care professionals familiarity with and perceptions regarding (NPS) for managing cancer pain and assessed their interest in learning more about NPS as adjuncts to pharmacological analgesics.

Background

Methodology

The authors surveyed 214 health care professionals at 2 cancer treatment centres in Ontario, Canada. The questionnaire included questions regarding 11 psychological strategies (i.e. imagery) and 8 other NPS (i.e. acupuncture). The response rate was 67% (141/214).

Results

Respondents were found to be the least familiar with autogenic training, operant conditioning and cognitive therapy . Apart from radiation and surgery, health professionals most commonly reported recommending support groups (67%),imagery (54%), music or art therapy (49%) and meditation (43%) for managing cancer pain. These respondents were most interested to learn more about acupuncture, massage therapy, therapeutic touch, hypnosis, and biofeedback . They were somewhat familiar with most of the 19 NPS presented; however, they used or recommended few NPS for managing cancer pain .

Conclusion

Health professionals interest in NPS has important implications for the supportive care of cancer patients.

References

Zaza C et al. Health care professionals familiarity with non-pharmacological strategies for managing cancer pain. Psycho-oncology 8(20: 99-111. Mar-Apr 1999.

Comment

It is pathetic that health professionals are so ignorant of many effective practices for pain relief, especially hypnosis and acupuncture.