Knowledge, Attitude and Barriers toward Cancer Pain Management with Opioids among Resident and Intern Physicians in Chonburi Hospital

Abstract

The objective of this descriptive study was to assess resident and intern physicians’ knowledge, attitudes and barriers toward cancer pain management with opioids and affecting factors of adequate knowledge (knowledge score > 60 percent) and positive attitude (average attitude score > 3 out of 5). The study was conducted among 125 interns and resident physicians in Chonburi hospital between November and December 2019. Data were collected using online questionnaires.

Of the physician, 38.4% had adequate knowledge and 48% had positive attitudes. Residency training, experience of WHO’s three-step ladder for pain control and experience of education for pain management statistically affected adequate knowledge toward cancer pain management with opioids (p < 0.05). Medical specialty training also significantly affected positive attitudes toward cancer pain management with opioids (p < 0.01). The most important barriers were a lack of cancer pain management education, inadequate knowledge and inadequate pain assessment. From this study, continuing education is needed to improve physicians’ knowledge and attitudes, which would provide adequate cancer pain management to the patients