Oncology nurse reflection on the necessity of a pain assessment tool for Indonesian cancer patients

Objective: The purpose of this study was to obtain an overview on nurses’ opinions and perceptions related to pain assessment and other problems experienced in evaluating pain in cancer patients. Method: This descriptive qualitative study was part of a series of studies to develop a pain assessment tool for cancer patients in Indonesia. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews from 16 oncology nurses. A cross-case comparison of the interview responses was used to analyze the data from verbatim interview transcripts. Results: Six themes were identified: pain as the main complaint reported by cancer patients; pain assessment using a pain scale; an awareness of the absence of nurses’ role in pain management; a lack of understanding of pain conditions; acknowledgement that a pain assessment tool should be practical and user friendly; and the need to develop a pain assessment tool. We also explored the knowledge of nurses in pain management and achieved an in-depth understanding of the nurses’ desire to seek additional knowledge related to pain assessment. Conclusions: A pain assessment tool should be developed to assist nurses to independently interpret data about pain and allow them to select or modify interventions consistent with the patients’ needs. Pain management for cancer patients is one of the essential nurses’ responsibilities in providing comprehensive meaningful nursing care.