Effect of pharmacist intervention for introducing opioid analgesics in cancer pain outpatients
10.2512/jspm.9.151
- VernacularTitle:外来がん疼痛患者におけるオピオイド鎮痛薬導入に対する薬剤師介入の効果に関する検討
- Author:
Masami Yamada
;
Chikako Matsumura
;
Yumi Jimaru
;
Rie Ueno
;
Yoshitaka Yano
;
Kazushige Takahashi
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
pharmacist intervention;
patient education;
telephone intervention;
opioid analgesic;
cancer pain outpatients
- From:Palliative Care Research
2014;9(3):151-157
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of continuous patient education on pain control in outpatients based on changes in pain intensity scores and occurrence of opioid-related adverse effects. Methods: The education intervention was conducted in the following phases; 1) interview at the first visit for opioid introduction, 2) telephone follow-up at home 3 to 7 days after introducing opioid analgesics, and 3) interview at the next visit. Pain intensity scores; frequency of rescue dose; and occurrence of adverse opioid-related effects such as constipation, nausea, and drowsiness were compared among the three intervention phases. Results: When comparing data at phase 2 and 3 with those at phase 1, daily maximum pain score decreased significantly, frequency of rescue dose and opioid dosage increased significantly, and occurrence rates of constipation decreased. Conclusion: Continuous patient education by pharmacist intervention based on not only patient visit interviews but also telephone communication on non-visiting days can improve the pain intensity scores and reduce the rate of opioid-related adverse effects for cancer outpatients.
