Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of perception of control over pain on disparities in pain, symptom distress, and functional status in White and Black patients with cancer. Background: Pain continues to be a problem in ambulatory patients with cancer. Disparities in minority patients with pain have been previously identified. Minorities with cancer have been reported to receive less preventative care and early detection, decreased access to treatment, less use of hospice care, and lower survival rates. Methodology: A cross sectional, descriptive design was used. The sample consisted of 281 patients at an outpatient clinic in large urban cancer centers who reported having pain within the last month and were receiving treatment in the cancer center. The outcome measures considered were pain intensity, pain-related distress, functional status, and perception of control over pain Results: Black patients had significantly higher pain intensity, more pain-related distress, and reported more pain-related interference with function than White patients. Disparities in pain-related distress and functional status were significantly reduced and only disparities in pain intensity remained when perception of control over pain was held constant. Implications: Perception of control over pain is an important factor in understanding responses to pain. Increasing a patient’s perception of control over pain may decrease disparities and increase functional status.
Session #1065 - Pain Management: Implications for Nursing Practice
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)