Knowledge and attitudes of Turkish oncology nurses about cancer pain management

Effective pain management requires accurate knowledge, attitudes, and assessment skills. The purpose of the present study was to examine information about the knowledge and attitudes of Turkish oncology nurses regarding cancer pain management. The sample consisted of 68 oncology nurses employed in oncology and hematology units in two university hospitals located in Izmir, Turkey. The Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain was used to measure the nurses' pain management knowledge and attitudes. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, t test, Kruskal-Wallis analysis, and Pearson correlation test. Of the nurses that participated in the study, 57.4% were between the ages of 21 and 30 years, 58.8% were unmarried, and 55.9% had an associate degree. The average correct response rate was 35.41%, with rates ranging from 5.13% to 56.41% for each survey question. Among the 39 pain knowledge questions assessed, the mean number of correctly answered questions was 13.81 +/- 5.02, with a range of 2 to 22 items correctly answered. When the knowledge scores were further analyzed by nurses' background characteristics, the nurses' pain knowledge was only positively correlated to length of working experience in oncology units (r = 0.263; p < .05). The findings support the concern of inadequate knowledge and attitudes in relation to cancer pain management. We believe that basic and continuing education programs may improve knowledge level of nursing about pain management.