Cancer pain management among surgical patients in an oncology hospital in Portugal: a best practice implementation project.

Authors

Cristina Costeira, Isabel Morais, Dulce Helena Carvalho, Ana Filipa Sousa, Ana Rosete Oliveira, Ivo Paiva, Rogério Rodrigues, Daniela Cardoso

Published in

JBI evidence implementation. Jun 16, 2026. Epub Jun 16, 2026.

Abstract

Cancer incidence is rising globally, with over half of new patients expected to experience pain. Although effective pain control is achievable in about 70% of cases, only one-third receive adequate treatment.
This project aimed to improve compliance with evidence-based practices for cancer pain management in a surgical oncology hospital in Portugal.
This project followed the seven-phase JBI Evidence Implementation. A baseline audit assessed compliance with eight evidence-based criteria derived from a JBI Best Practice Summary entitled Cancer Pain: Assessment. Data from 50 patients and 21 nurses were analyzed using JBI PACES. Barriers were identified using the JBI GRiP tool, and tailored strategies were implemented, including staff education, written materials, redesign of documentation, and motivational actions. A follow-up audit measured changes.
The baseline results revealed major gaps in compliance, with some criteria at 0%. After implementation, substantial improvements were observed across all eight criteria, with average compliance increasing to 94.5%. Written information for patients, non-pharmacological strategies, and nurse education demonstrated the most notable improvement. Challenges related to workload, documentation routines, and cultural perceptions of patient participation persisted.
This project demonstrated that structured evidence implementation, supported by clinical leadership, staff engagement, targeted education, and practical tools, can significantly improve adherence to best practices in cancer pain management. Sustaining these gains will require ongoing audit cycles, continued training, and institutional support.
http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A635.

PMID:
42294784
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 15 Jun 2026.

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