[Cancer pain from the nurses' perspective--findings from Austria]

The present study addresses the issue of cancer pain from the perspective of Austrian nurses. By the means of a standardised questionnaire 332 nurses (79 percent female, 63 percent with age < 40) were asked about causes and triggers of cancer pain, patients' burden of pain, used analgesics and their side effects, and the authority by whom they want to be informed about an own malignant disease. The respondents mentioned a wide range of causes, triggers and multipliers of cancer pain. According to the respondents, most cancer patients experience pain that exceeds the degree of pain a person can bear. Many side effects of use of analgesics are observed. In case of an own malignant disease the majority of the interviewees would like to be informed by a physician. The results point out that nursing personnel is aware of the patients' burden of pain, but at the same time they show the need for improvement at clinical pain management and in the area of vocational training and advanced nursing education.