Empowering Cancer Patients with Self-Care and Pain Management Skills: A Quasi-Experimental Study

• Autor(es): Bico, I. ; Afonso, A. ; Sousa, L. ; Bule, J. ; Lopes, M. J.
• Data: 2025
• Identificador Persistente: http://hdl.handle.net/10174/38034
• Origem: Repositório Científico da Universidade de Évora
• Assunto(s): Adult; Aged; Caregivers; Empowerment
• Tipo de Documento: Artigo científico
• Idioma: Português

Descrição

Cancer patients experience distress as a result of their health condition, which, in turn, contributes to the progression of the disease. Moreover, their daily activities, well-being, and health status are significantly impacted by pain and other symptoms. In this context, empowering these patients with self-care and pain management skills can greatly contribute to effective symptom control. Aim: To develop and implement an educational approach focused on empowering family caregivers and patients with advanced cancer in effectively managing pain at home. Method: An educational program, PECP/C-Pain Management, was developed to empower family caregivers and cancer patients to manage pain at home. A quasi-experimental study involving 52 participants with advanced cancer was conducted to test the program. Participants’ skills, behaviors, and knowledge related to self-care and pain management were assessed before and after the intervention using an appropriate instrument, the Pain Management Knowledge and Behavior Scale. Results: Pain was reported as the primary symptom, and following the educational program, participants were able to monitor pain and other symptoms and effectively self-manage their treatment. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the PECP/C-Pain Management intervention was effective in improving participants’ knowledge and skills in managing pain, leading to better symptom control. In addition, the Pain Management Knowledge and Behavior Scale is a reliable tool for measuring the outcomes of this intervention.