| Affiliation: | (1) Supportive Care and Rehabilitation Unit, Medical Oncology Department, University of L!["rsquo"]("/content/kujj7dj020rhum04/xlarge8217.gif") Aquila, LAquila, Italy;(2) Internal Medicine and Public Health Department, University of LAquila, LAquila, Italy;(3) Radiotherapy Department, University of LAquila, LAquila, Italy;(4) Medical Oncology Department, University of LAquila, LAquila, Italy;(5) Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi, 67100 LAquila, Italy |
| Abstract: | Goals The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge possessed and the attitudes held by Italian radiotherapists regarding evaluation and treatment of pain.Methods One hundred and twenty-six radiotherapists completed a 16-item questionnaire that was specifically designed to investigate three main topics: the attention paid to pain, the use of analgesics, and pain in children. Chi-square or Fisher s exact text was employed to evaluate differences based on position (staff/resident), age (<35/>35 years old), availability of consultants in pain therapy and/or palliative care, colleagues with main interest in palliative care among their own staff, and region of residence (north/center/south of Italy).Results Overall percentage of correct answers was 76.6% (range 34.9–94.4%). Correct answers by groups of items were: attention paid to pain 77.3%, use of analgesics 81.5%, and pain in children 63.7%.Conclusion Results of the survey demonstrate that knowledge and attitudes of Italian radiotherapists towards the approach to and treatment of pain can be considered satisfactory. |
