The usefulness of a daily pain management diary for outpatients with cancer-related pain.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe the usefulness of daily pain management diaries to outpatients with cancer who participated in a randomized clinical trial of the PRO-SELF Pain Control Program.

DESIGN

Randomized clinical trial in which a daily pain management diary was used for data collection in the control group and for data collection and nurse coaching regarding the pain management program in the intervention group.

SETTING

Seven outpatient oncology settings.

SAMPLE

155 patients with pain from bone metastases and 90 family caregivers.

METHODS

Content and statistical analysis of audiotaped answers to a semistructured questionnaire.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES

Patients' and family caregivers' perceptions of the usefulness of a daily pain management diary; specific ways in which the diary was used.

FINDINGS

Patients in both the intervention (75%) and control groups (73%) found the diary useful. The diary was used to heighten awareness of pain, guide pain management behavior, enhance a sense of control, and facilitate communication. Family caregivers in both groups also reported that the diary was useful.

CONCLUSIONS

The completion of a daily pain management diary is useful to patients and family caregivers and may function as an intervention for self-care.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Research-based evidence supports the importance of using a daily pain management diary in clinical practice.