Interdisciplinary Pain Education: Moving From Discipline-Specific to Collaborative Practice

Background: Pain is a common symptom reported by hospitalized patients with cancer. Cancer pain management requires an interdisciplinary approach for quality patient care. Although the literature suggests that most cancer pain can be managed with available treatments, many patients continue to experience pain even with opioid prescriptions. Implementation of evidence-based guidelines, such as the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's guidelines for adult cancer pain, promotes collaboration across disciplines and enhances patient care.

Objectives: This article reports the development, implementation, and evaluation of an interdisciplinary pain education program, Oncology Provider Pain Training (OPPT), to improve clinician knowledge and promote collaborative practice.

Methods: The Kirkpatrick Model was used to design the OPPT program. A multifaceted training approach was used to accommodate the various needs of potential participants. Interdisciplinary educational sessions were held during a one-month period. Knowledge gained, learner reaction, and satisfaction were evaluated using predetermined benchmarks one month following program completion.

Findings: Satisfaction benchmarks for content, teaching materials, and presenter were met. Although the knowledge gained benchmark was not met, substantial progress toward achievement was made. Additional modifications include increasing discipline-specific content and focus on pain pathophysiology and addressing time constraints. Inconsistent technology adoption across disciplines may have a negative effect on interdisciplinary educational efforts.