Information Sources Used by Oncology Nurses to Learn About Nondrug Pain Treatments

Abstract

Symptom management is a major focus of the work of oncology nurses. Guidelines for cancer pain management recommend using nondrug strategies as adjuvants to analgesic medications to maximize pain relief. The purpose of this study was to explore oncology staff nurses' perceptions of their access to information about nondrug pain treatments and to explore the perceived effectiveness of those information sources. This study analyzed how different sources of information influenced cognitive, psychomotor, and affective knowledge about nondrug treatments.

KEYWORDS:

• information resources
• nondrug treatment
• oncology nursing
• pain
• questionnaires

The authors wish to thank the Charles Eckburg Foundation for funding to support the Honors Undergraduate project. They would also like to thank the nurse managers and staff of participating oncology units at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics.

Notes

Comments and suggestions should be sent to the Column Editors: Sally A. Harvey (E‐mail: [email protected]), Donna Beales (E-mail: [email protected]), or Beth Carlin (E-mail: [email protected]).