Effect of pharmacist intervention for introducing opioid analgesics in cancer pain outpatients

ABSTRACT

<b>Purpose:</b> This study aimed to evaluate the effect of continuous patient education on pain control in outpatients based on changes in pain intensity scores and occurrence of opioid-related adverse effects. <b>Methods:</b> The education intervention was conducted in the following phases; 1) interview at the first visit for opioid introduction, 2) telephone follow-up at home 3 to 7 days after introducing opioid analgesics, and 3) interview at the next visit. Pain intensity scores; frequency of rescue dose; and occurrence of adverse opioid-related effects such as constipation, nausea, and drowsiness were compared among the three intervention phases. <b>Results:</b> When comparing data at phase 2 and 3 with those at phase 1, daily maximum pain score decreased significantly, frequency of rescue dose and opioid dosage increased significantly, and occurrence rates of constipation decreased. <b>Conclusion:</b> Continuous patient education by pharmacist intervention based on not only patient visit interviews but also telephone communication on non-visiting days can improve the pain intensity scores and reduce the rate of opioid-related adverse effects for cancer outpatients.