The Effect of Remote-Based Monitoring and Education Program on Cancer Pain Management in an Outpatient Pain Clinic

Background: Pain is one of the most feared consequences of cancer for patients and their families. Many barriers may hinder optimal pain management.Aim: Examine the effect of remote-based monitoring and education program on cancer pain manage-ment, patient-related barriers, and level of adherence to pain medication.Methods: A sample of 134 patients was assigned to two groups; 68 in the intervention group and 66 in the control. The intervention group received three educational sessions by telephone. Both groups com-pleted questionnaires at baseline and one month after the initial visit.Results: Significant differences were found between the groups in the levels of pain right now ( p = .030), pain at its least ( p = .016), and in the percentage of achieved pain relief ( p = .048). Moreover, the in-tervention group experienced lower levels of interference with their general activity ( p = < .001), mood ( p = .011), and normal work ( p = .004) post-intervention. The Attitudinal Barriers differences were sta-tistically significant in the total mean ( p = < .001), and the subscales of physiological effects ( p = < .001), fatalism ( p = < .001), communication ( p = < .001), harmful effects ( p = < .001). Participants in the intervention group exhibited higher adherence levels ( p = .001).Conclusions: Patients suffering from cancer-related pain can benefit from remote-based monitoring and education programs to improve pain management outcomes, overcome barriers, and increase adherence. Further research is needed to investigate the different available educational methods and long-term ef-fects.(c) 2022 American Society for Pain Management Nursing. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.