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Cancer pain management needs and perspectives of patients from Chinese backgrounds: a systematic review of the Chinese and English literature

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 January 2018

Xiangfeng Xu Open the ORCID record for Xiangfeng Xu [Opens in a new window] ,
Tim Luckett ,
Alex Yueping Wang ,
Melanie Lovell  and
Jane L. Phillips
Xiangfeng Xu*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Tim Luckett
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Alex Yueping Wang
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Melanie Lovell
Affiliation:
Greenwich Palliative and Supportive Care Services, Greenwich, NSW, Australia
Jane L. Phillips
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
*
Author for correspondence: Xiangfeng Xu, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Bldg. 10, Level 3, 235 Jones St (PO Box 123), Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective

More than half of all cancer patients experience unrelieved pain. Culture can significantly affect patients’ cancer pain-related beliefs and behaviors. Little is known about cultural impact on Chinese cancer patients’ pain management. The objective of this review was to describe pain management experiences of cancer patients from Chinese backgrounds and to identify barriers affecting their pain management.

Method

A systematic review was conducted adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies were included if they reported pain management experiences of adult cancer patients from Chinese backgrounds. Five databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles published in English or Chinese journals between1990 and 2015. The quality of included studies was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institution's appraisal tools.

Results

Of 3,904 identified records, 23 articles met criteria and provided primary data from 6,110 patients. Suboptimal analgesic use, delays in receiving treatment, reluctance to report pain, and/or poor adherence to prescribed analgesics contributed to the patients’ inadequate pain control. Patient-related barriers included fatalism, desire to be good, low pain control belief, pain endurance beliefs, and negative effect beliefs. Patients and family shared barriers about fear of addiction and concerns on analgesic side effects and disease progression. Health professional–related barriers were poor communication, ineffective management of pain, and analgesic side effects. Healthcare system–related barriers included limited access to analgesics and/or after hour pain services and lack of health insurance.

Significance of results

Chinese cancer patients’ misconceptions regarding pain and analgesics may present as the main barriers to optimal pain relief. Findings of this review may inform health interventions to improve cancer pain management outcomes for patients from Chinese backgrounds. Future studies on patients’ nonpharmacology intervention-related experiences are required to inform multidisciplinary and biopsychosocial approaches for culturally appropriate pain management.

Keywords

Cancer painChinesecultural influencepain management
Type
Review Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 16 , Issue 6 , December 2018 , pp. 785 - 799
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

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