Pain practices: a cross-Canada survey of pediatric oncology centers

Before implementing a pain education program, the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology conducted a national survey on cancer pain management. The survey focused primarily on adult cancer pain and a second survey was undertaken to describe the supports in place across Canada for best practice pediatric cancer pain management. Twenty-eight pediatric cancer centers responded to a survey that was composed of 48 questions about the types of supports that are in place related to pain assessment, management, and pain-related staff and family education. Results of the survey indicated that, for the most part, children have access to the components of best practice pain management. In addition, areas of strength and areas that need to be further developed were identified and the implications for the findings discussed.