Objective: This study aimed to 1) to examine the level of knowledge regarding pain and morphine syrup usage of cancer patients and their family caregivers, 2) to examine belief barriers to cancer pain management of cancer patients and their family caregivers, and 3) to compare the knowledge level and belief barriers between cancer patients and family caregivers.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study with new cancer patients and care-givers at a pain relief clinic of a university hospital. Sixty-three pairs of patients and caregivers were asked to respond independently to 1) knowledge measurement questionnaire about pain and use of morphine syrup, and 2) the questionnaire to evaluate belief barriers to pain management. Data were analyzed used by descriptive and inferential statistics using matched-paired t test.
Results: Both patients and family caregivers showed a moderate level of knowledge regarding pain and use of morphine syrup. The difference was not statistically significant (p=0.06). Both parties reported their perceptions towards belief barriers to cancer pain management with morphine syrup at a low level. Similarly, there was no significant difference (p=0.42) between patients’ belief barriers and family caregivers’ belief to barriers cancer pain management, except in one dimension: good patient should not complain. For this barrier, the patients reported higher level of their belief that good patient should not complain than that of their family caregiver (p=0.01).
Conclusion: This study revealed a moderate level of knowledge and a low level of belief barriers to cancer pain management of both cancer patients and their family caregivers. There are areas for further improvement in order to increase patients’ and caregivers’ knowledge.