Racial Differences in Pain Management for Patients Receiving Hospice Care.

Racial Differences in Pain Management for Patients Receiving Hospice Care. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2020 Mar 01;47(2):228-240 Authors: Booker SQ, Herr KA, Wilson Garvan C Abstract OBJECTIVES: To investigate racial differences in implementation of 11 evidence-based cancer pain management strategies in a matched sample of patients in hospice. SAMPLE & SETTING: 32 African American and 32 Caucasian American older adults (aged 65 years or older) with cancer pain receiving hospice care in the midwestern United States. METHODS & VARIABLES: Matched cohort secondary data analysis of postintervention data in a cluster randomized controlled trial was used. Main outcomes are the summative and individual Cancer Pain Practice Index scores. RESULTS: There were few statistically significant or clinically meaningful differences in implementation of individual best practices for pain management by race. Assessment of primary pain characteristics and management of opioid-induced constipation with a bowel regimen was significantly lower in African Americans than in Caucasian Americans. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: African American older adults receiving hospice care at the end of life received pain management that was, overall, comparable to matched Caucasian American older adults. Hospice and oncology nurses play a critical role in effective pain management and should continue to implement evidence-based guidelines...
Source: Oncology Nursing Forum - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Oncol Nurs Forum Source Type: research