Date of Award
5-2006
Document Type
Independent Study
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Abstract
The lack of knowledge of intrathecal therapy in cancer pain management by nurses and other health care professionals is a common problem that creates poor patient satisfaction and decreased quality of life. Intrathecal pain pumps may be helpful in cancer patients who have intolerable side effects from oral opioids, are unable to take medications by mouth, or have failed other pain management strategies. The purpose of this project was for the author to gain expert knowledge regarding the use of intrathecal pain pumps in cancer patients with chronic pain. After gaining expert knowledge, the objective was to develop an inservice module for nurses and other health care professionals who are involved in the care of cancer patients. The inservice provided education on the care and use of intrathecal pain pumps. In addition, it included how to identify cancer patients who qualify for their use A thorough literature review and an interview with a pain management specialist helped the author to gain expert knowledge in the field of intrathecal therapy in cancer pain management. After gaining this knowledge, an educational inservice using PowerPoint was given that consisted of learning objectives, a review of literature, the clinical problem, the definition of intrathecal therapy, and the types of intrathecal pumps was provided for the staff of a selected oncology unit of a regional hospital. Side effects and inclusion and exclusion criteria were also reviewed in the presentation. The author was able to become a resource for the staff and the patients of the selected oncology unit when it involves intrathecal therapy in cancer management. Furthermore, the educational inservice module aided in the education of nurses and other health care professionals
The nurses and other health care professionals who participated in the inservice module were provided knowledge on how intrathecal therapy works to relieve pain. They were given information on the risks and benefits of intrathecal therapy and on how intrathecal and epidural therapy differ. The project resulted in the participants expressing an increase in their knowledge on intrathecal therapy in cancer pain management. After the inservice module one hundred percent of the participants rated their knowledge of intrathecal therapy as average or excellent when compared with ratings taken before to the inservice
Recommended Citation
Nygaard, Anne, "Intrathecal Therapy in Cancer Pain Management" (2006). Theses and Dissertations. 4812.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/4812