Evaluation of a whole process management model based on an information system for cancer patients with pain: A prospective nonrandomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of whole process management model interventions based on information system benefits reported by patients with cancer pain.

METHODS

We performed a quantitative, prospective nonrandomized controlled design from June to October 2020. A total of 124 cancer patients with pain were enrolled. Patients in the experimental group received a whole process management model intervention based on an information system compared to the control group who received routine cancer pain management. Data were collected at baseline and after a four-week follow-up, acting as a test-retest control. The primary outcome was pain management quality, which was measured using the American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire-Chinese version (APS-POQ-C). Secondary outcomes were patient-related attitudinal barriers and analgesic adherence. The Barrier Questionnaire (BQ) and a single-item questionnaire were used. Chi-square tests were used to compare the pain intensity and analgesic adherence, independent sample -test and Mann-Whitney U test were performed to test the differences in the pain management quality and patient-related attitudinal barriers between control and experimental groups.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics and outcomes of the participants did not differ significantly ( ​> ​0.05). Primary outcomes were changes in four aspect of the quality of pain management (APS-POQ-C) between the two groups ( ​< ​0.05). Patients in the whole process management group reported significantly better pain control and perception of care than the control group. With respect to secondary endpoints, a significant difference in favor of the experimental group was found for barriers ( ​< ​0.05) and medication adherence (60.0% vs. 40.0%;  ​< ​0.05) after the interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

The whole process management of patients with cancer pain effectively improves patient-reported quality of pain management, reduces patient-perceived barriers, enhances patient adherence to analgesic drugs and is worthy of clinical application.