Fernando G V M Chamath Author

Short Communication Open Access

A clinical audit aimed at optimizing pain assessment in resident cancer patients in a Sri Lankan oncology setting: Reflection on the experience

Author(s):

Fernando G V M Chamath

Being a commonly experienced distressful symptom, ‘pain’ is not sufficiently managed in worldwide cancer patients. One of the principle obstacle identified is an inadequate assessment of pain which in turn leads to its poor management. This is heralded by the lack of medical or nursing professionals qualified in Palliative Medicine/Care to date in Sri Lanka. Hence, the aim of this clinical audit was to optimize the assessment of pain among resident patients of a tertiary care cancer hospital by oncology doctors. A simple “pain and associated symptom chart” was designed for the doctors to document pain experienced by resident cancer patients in terms of intensity, both upon admission and on daily clerking (expected to be documented 100% each, regardless of the pre... view more»

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