Nancy Y Nashwan^{1, 2}, Hala ZI Alagha³ , Noraida Shah², Farida Islahudin²

Abstract

Purpose: This review investigated educational interventions in optimizing pain management in adult cancer patients. Methods: The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines were used. Key search terms and medical subject headings (MeSH) include “cancer pain”, “educational intervention”, “adherence”, “pain management”, “pharmacist”, “caregiver”, “nurse”, and “physician”. Results: Although 7,042 records were obtained, only 37 articles were included in the final analysis. Most studies were randomized controlled trials and utilized educational interventions targeting the patients. Nine articles reported interventions focusing on healthcare professionals (HCPs), while two reports utilized targeted family caregivers (FCGs). The interventions were aimed at clarifying misconceptions about opioids, improving patients’ pain-related knowledge and adherence to therapy, and HCPs’ compliance with practice guidelines. Although different methods were utilized to deliver the interventions, face-to-face sessions and interactive group discussions were most commonly implemented for patients, FCGs and HCPs, respectively. Also, these educational interventions improved pain management in adult cancer patients. Conclusion: Educational interventions had positive effect in optimizing pain management in adult cancer patients. However, systematic reviews are necessary to determine the effects of such interventions and identify factors that may play key roles in pain management for adult cancer patients.