Journal article
The Behavioral Adaptations and Barriers of Patients Employing Non-Pharmacological Strategies for Cancer Pain Management—A Qualitative Study
Healthcare, Vol.11(22), pp.1-14
2023
PMCID: PMC10671318
PMID: 37998403
Appears in Cancer Research Cluster Research Collection
Abstract
The use of non-pharmacological strategies to complement pharmacological approaches can enhance cancer pain management by promoting patient autonomy and increasing management effectiveness. This study aimed to explore the required behavioral adaptations and situational barriers that cancer patients encounter when utilizing non-pharmacological strategies to manage pain. We adopted an exploratory–descriptive qualitative research approach, purposive sampling, and semi-structured interview guidelines to conduct face-to-face interviews with 18 cancer patients experiencing moderate or severe levels of worst pain. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis to explore patients’ experiences. Five themes described the behavioral adaptations of patients using non-pharmacological strategies to deal with cancer pain: finding complementary therapies, utilizing assistive skills, adapting to assistive skills, diverting attention, and seeking help. Situational barriers faced by patients include being in the workplace or in a climate-affected environment. Behavioral adaptation is necessary for non-pharmacological strategies to coping with cancer pain. The behavioral skills can help the patients to overcome situational barriers to engagement with these strategies. Thus, health professionals are expected to help the patients acquire adequate behavioral adaptation and skills for self-pain management, and assess the effectiveness of the strategies.
Details
- Title
- The Behavioral Adaptations and Barriers of Patients Employing Non-Pharmacological Strategies for Cancer Pain Management—A Qualitative Study
- Authors
- Man-Ting Liu (Author) - National Taipei University of Nursing and Health ScienceShu-Yuan Liang (Corresponding Author) - National Taipei University of Nursing and Health ScienceTa-Chung Chao (Author) - Taipei Veterans General HospitalJohn Rosenberg (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - NursingLing-Ming Tseng (Author) - National Yang Ming University
- Publication details
- Healthcare, Vol.11(22), pp.1-14
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Date published
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.3390/healthcare11222911
- ISSN
- 2227-9032
- PMID
- 37998403; PMC10671318
- Copyright note
- © 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
- Data Availability
- Data presented in this study are available from the first author upon reasonable request.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Nursing; Cancer Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99982895602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
2 File views/ downloads
47 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Health Care Sciences & Services
- Health Policy & Services
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: SDGs from InCites