Cancer pain: closing the evidence-practice gap — ASN Events

Cancer pain: closing the evidence-practice gap (#86)

Melanie R Lovell 1 2 3 , Tim Luckett 3 4 , Jane Phillips 3 4 , Fran Boyle 1 , Patricia M Davidson 3 4 , John Stubbs 5 , Mary-Rose Birch 2 , Odette Spruyt 6 , Meera Agar 2 3
  1. Sydney University, Sydney
  2. HammondCare, Greenwich, NSW, Australia
  3. ImPaCCT Palliative Care Trials Group, Sydney, New South Wales
  4. University of Technology, Sydney
  5. Canspeak, Sydney
  6. Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne



Pain in lung cancer is a common and debilitating symptom. The evidence-practice gap in cancer pain management is well recognised resulting in undertreated pain. Barriers to optimal pain management exist at patient, health professional and health system level. In order to improve cancer pain outcomes at all these levels, complex interventions are required. Adherence to guidelines for pain assessment and management has been shown to improve outcomes. Guidelines recommend screening for pain; comprehensive assessments; prescription of regular analgesia; availability of breakthrough analgesia; prevention of medication side effects, especially constipation; and provision of patient education. Implementation strategies which have been shown to be effective in translating evidence to practice include Q stream education for health professionals; audit and feedback to clinicians; and patient education tools which enable patients to participate in their own pain management. Implementation tools using these strategies have been developed for the Australian Cancer Pain Guideline and piloted in Australian oncology and palliative care settings. Pilot results show the guideline, electronic screening with reports provided to clinicians, patient pain management plan and education materials and audit were feasible and acceptable.

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