Factors hindering patients' use of medications for cancer pain

The purpose of this study was to explore the reasons that cancer patients with pain find it difficult to adhere to analgesic therapy.

Twenty-one patients with advanced cancer with pain were interviewed using a semistructured schedule of questions. Participants were asked to describe their decision making regarding analgesics and the factors that made it difficult for them to take analgesics prescribed for their pain. They also were asked to describe their relationships with their healthcare providers. Themes were identified and refined using qualitative analytic techniques. Two investigators independently coded all data to ensure that findings accurately reflected participants' experiences.

Findings reveal several factors that hindered analgesic use and the specific ways in which patients evaluated these factors in making decisions about taking pain medication. The provider-patient factors that impeded analgesic use also were described. Finally, the common use of nonpharmacologic methods of pain control offers insight into the role of these therapeutic strategies in achieving pain relief and decreasing analgesic use.

The findings underscore the importance of early intervention to address barriers to analgesic use. Some barriers may be overcome through educational efforts. The findings suggest, however, that consistent, repeated patient education often may not be sufficient to subdue patients' negative thoughts about taking the medication. Other approaches, such as changing medications or assisting the patient to use nonpharmacologic pain strategies, may prove more successful.