FEELINGS OF POWERLESSNESS IN RELATION TO PAIN - ASCRIBED CAUSES AND REPORTED STRATEGIES - A QUALITATIVE STUDY AMONG DUTCH COMMUNITY NURSES CARING FOR CANCER-PATIENTS WITH PAIN

This qualitative study focused on the causes for the feelings of power lessness experienced by dutch community nurses in caring for cancer pa tients with pain. In addition, the study focused on the strategies com munity nurses employed to cope with feelings of powerlessness. Semistr uctured interviews revealed the following ascribed causes for feelings of powerlessness: problems in communication between community nurses and patients and between community nurses and personal physicians, dil emmas concerning physical care and opiates, and discrepancies between community nurses' pain management goals and what can realistically be achieved. The main strategies for reducing feelings of powerlessness w ere sharing feelings with the patient and colleagues, increasing knowl edge and skills, and standing back from the situation.