Psychosocial barriers to cancer pain relief

Abstract

The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between unrelieved cancer pain and three psychosocial factors: mood state, interference with life, and physician-patient communication. One hundred ninety-one outpatients were interviewed using a structured personal interview schedule. Results show that pain disrupted mood state, life activity, and enjoyment. In addition, pain intensity, education level, and family communication about pain were related. This study confirms earlier research suggesting that cancer pain is multidimensional. Psychological factors (mood, communication), demographics (education), and medical factors (functional impairment, pain intensity) can complicate the assessment and treatment of cancer pain. Patients' reluctance or inability to report pain to physicians or family assures the continuation of untreated and unnecessary pain. In light of these findings, strategies for interdisciplinary clinical intervention are offered, with the ultimate goals of identifying and resolving these psychosocial barriers.