A systematic review of qualitative research exploring patient and health professional perspectives of breakthrough cancer pain

• Published in: Supportive care in cancer 2023-11, Vol.31 (11), p.619-619, Article 619
• Main Authors: Crawford, G. B., Lakhani, A., Palmer, L., Sebalj, M., Rolan, P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Breakthrough Pain - drug therapy; Breakthrough Pain - etiology; Cancer; Cancer pain; Cancer Pain - drug therapy; Cancer Pain - therapy; Care and treatment; Evidence-based medicine; Health aspects; Humans; Medical care; Medical personnel; Medical treatment; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neoplasms - complications; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Nursing; Nursing care; Nursing Research; Oncology; Oncology, Experimental; Pain; Pain Management; Pain Medicine; Palliative care; Professional development; Qualitative Research; Quality management; Rehabilitation Medicine; Review; Strategic planning (Business); Systematic review; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0941-4355; 1433-7339
• DOI: 10.1007/s00520-023-08076-9

Purpose Breakthrough cancer pain (BtCP) is a prevalent health issue which is difficult to manage. A plethora of quantitative research in this area exists. There is a paucity of research on the perspectives of health professionals and patients surrounding domains impacting effective treatment, including definitions of BtCP, treatment, and education opportunities. This review aims to identify and synthesize the extent of qualitative research exploring health professional and patient perspectives of BtCP. Methods A systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach was undertaken. The approach was registered with Prospero. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched for peer-reviewed literature published any date prior to May 19, 2022. Eligible sources must have considered health professional and/or patient perspectives of BtCP. A narrative synthesis approach was utilized. Results Three sources met the review criteria. One source explored nurse perspectives, while two sources explored patient perspectives. Study quality was moderate to high. Overlapping themes across the three studies included communication, defining BtCP, impact of BtCP, management of BtCP, perceptions of BtCP, analgesia and pain relief, and training and professional development. Conclusion Given limited research investigating clinician and patient perspectives of BtCP, a rich understanding informed by exploratory qualitative methods around identification, best management strategies, professional development, and factors promoting and inhibiting best practice remains unclear. Further qualitative inquiry is warranted, and it is expected such research will inform BtCP clinical guidelines.