(911): Perceptions of communication and involvement in cancer pain management

Abstract

The cancer pain experience may affect both patients and their significant others (SO). Significant others may influence pain management through communication with patients about their pain, and directly or indirectly by their involvement with specific pain management activities. This analysis of baseline data from a psychoeducational cancer pain intervention study examined the (1) differences between patient and significant other perceptions of communication about pain and (2) the SO’s participation in pain management activities. The sample consisted of 128 dyads (patient and patient-selected SO) who were both asked to indicate how much they communicated about various aspects of patient’s pain management (CAP-Q) and also how involved the SO was in pain management activities (SOPI-Q). Most patient and SO subjects were female (62%, 57%), Caucasian (86%, 90%) and married (69%, 75%). Significant correlations were found between patient reports and SO estimates of patient’s pain severity (r= .39, p= .000) and frequency of moderate to severe pain (r=.51, p=.000). Patients and SOs both rated the suggestion to talk with a doctor or nurse as their most frequent communication topic. Compared to patients, SOs reported significantly higher frequency of overall communication about pain (t=3.08, p=.003), although the mean scores were relatively low for both groups. There was no significant difference in how often patients and SOs rated SO involvement. Picking up medications, talking with doctors and nurses about the patient’s pain, and helping the patient decide if and when to take pain medicine were the most frequent pain management activities performed by the SO. Because SOs are involved in important pain management activities it is critical to include them in pain management discussions.