Cancer Pain Management: Pharmacist Knowledge and Practices

Abstract

Although opioids are the cornerstone of cancer pain management, little is known about pharmacists' knowledge and practices relating to the use of these drugs for this indication. This study was conducted to assess pharmacists' knowledge about the optimal use of opioids in cancer pain management and to describe the types and frequencies of pharmacist practices in cancer pain management. A mail survey was used to collect data from a random sample of 600 pharmacists licensed to practice in the state of Utah. Knowledge was assessed with a 14 item measure. Thirteen items were developed to evaluate pharmacists1 practices related to cancer pain management. Of the 594 surveys delivered, 318 (53.5%) were returned and analyzed. A concordance of at least 70% with the desired response denoted an absence of knowledge deficits. Seven of the knowledge items achieved satisfactory outcomes. A total knowledge index, one way analyses of variance (ANOVA) and subsequent Scheffe tests revealed a mean knowledge score significantly lower for pharmacists practicing in community settings and for pharmacists with more man 20 years of practice experience. A majority of pharmacists reported that they frequently or very frequently counseled patients and called prescribes for opioid refill authorization. Less traditional practices including assessing patients' pain intensity and recommending ancillary therapy were performed less frequently. Areas in which pharmacists' cancer pain management knowledge was inadequate were identified. Although many pharmacists do counsel patients and their care givers about medication use, there are potentially useful cancer pain management practices that are provided only infrequently by pharmacists.