PAIN MANAGEMENT AND PAIN COPING STRATEGIES OF CANCER PATIENTS: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Abstract

Pain is an important symptom that affects the quality of life of cancer patients. Pain is managed with pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches such as exercise, acupressure, meditation, yoga, and massage. This study is a qualitative research conducted to determine how cancer patients manage their pain. The population of the study consisted of patients with cancer diagnosis who applied to the oncology clinic of a private hospital. The sample consisted of 33 patients who accepted to participate in the study and met the study criteria. The data of the research were collected using the “Descriptive Characteristics Form” and “Semi-structured Focus Group Questionnaire”. The forms were created by scanning the literature. Then thematic analysis was made. The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) Checklist, which sets the standards for reporting the research, was used. The mean age of the patients participating in the study was 45.72 ± 3.46, 60.60% were female, 84.85% were married, 87.9% lived in an urban environment, 48.49% had educational status. were in high school, 48.49% were diagnosed with Breast Ca, 48.49% were treated with 3rd cycle chemotherapy, 84.5% took some kind of analgesic for pain, and 60.6% used complementary care methods. detected. It was determined that the patients had difficulties in pain management, used non-prescribed drugs to relieve pain, were reluctant to seek professional medical advice, used non-pharmacological strategies, and tried to manage their pain according to what other people in their family/social circle said.