PAIN MANAGEMENT AT HOME - STRUGGLE, COMFORT, AND MISSION

This article presents findings from an exploratory, descriptive study that investigated the experiences of pain in the home from the perspec tive of the patient, the primary family caregiver, and the home care n urse. The following research questions are addressed: What are the spe cial problems associated with pain management at home as identified by patients, caregivers, and nurses? What are the similarities and diffe rences among patients, caregivers, and nurses regarding issues of mana ging pain at home? Qualitative techniques were used to collect and ana lyze data. The sample included 10 cancer patients with pain and their respective caregivers and nurses. After the in-depth interviews were t ranscribed, a multidisciplinary research team performed content analys is on the data. Overall, the findings suggest that patients approach p ain management with a struggle for control, whereas self-denying careg ivers seek to provide comfort, and nurses attempt to fuffill an urgent mission to eradicate pain.