Background & Aims

Pain is a frequent and extremely troublesome symptom in patients. It complicates clinical conditions, induces emotional distress, and significantly diminishes the quality of life. Despite the existence of current treatment guidelines and potent pharmacological remedies, the global issue of undertreating cancer pain persists. Opioids stand as the primary analgesic agents for addressing moderate-to-severe cancer pain. The goal of this study was to assess the knowledge and barriers using opioid analgesics for pain management among healthcare professionals in hospitals in Kosovo.

Methods

A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data which was administered to healthcare professionals (specialist doctors, resident doctors, pharmacists, and nurses).

Results

A total of 156 healthcare professionals completed the questionnaire. The average age was 38.4 ± 7.1 years (range 22–63). An acceptable level of knowledge was observed in 48.7%. Knowledge items mostly answered incorrectly were related to opioid administration, pharmacology, dosing, adverse events, rotation, and toxicity. Knowledge scores were significantly higher for specialist doctors compared to residents, pharmacists and nurses. Healthcare professionals who handled opioids had significantly higher mean knowledge scores than those who did not. Among perceived barriers to using opioids, the most frequently reported barrier by respondents was fear of addiction by patients (81.6%), fear of adverse effects (72.4%) and lack of training programs on opioid dosing and monitoring (65.7%).

Conclusions

The findings of this study uncovered significant knowledge gaps among healthcare professionals in Kosovo concerning opioids (opiophobia) and pain management. There is an immediate requirement for the implementation of innovative interventions aimed at enhancing the understanding of opioid analgesics and pain management guidelines within the healthcare community in Kosovo.

References

1.M. Nayak, A. George, M. Vidyasagar et al., “Symptoms ex perienced by cancer patients and barriers to symptom management,” Indian Journal of Palliative Care, vol. 21, no. 3, pp. 349–354, 2015.
2.S. Bouya, A. Balouchi, A. Maleknejad, M. Koochakzai, E. AlKhasawneh, and A. Abdollahimohammad, “Cancer pain management among oncology nurses: knowledge, attitude, related factors, and clinical recommendations: a systematic review,” Journal of Cancer Education, vol. 34, no. 5, pp. 839–846, 2019.
3.T. J. Smith and C. B. Saiki, “Cancer pain management,” Mayo Clinic Proceedings, vol. 90, no. 10, pp. 1428–1439, 2015
4.Nehad M. Ayoub at al. A Survey of Knowledge and Barriers of Healthcare Professionals toward Opioid Analgesics in Cancer Pain Management, International Journal of Clinical Practice Volume 2022, Article ID 1136430.
5.Pain & Policy Studies Group. Increasing Patient Access to Pain Medicines around theWorld: A Framework to Improve National Policies that Govern Drug Distribution. University ofWisconsin Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center. Madison,Wisconsin, 2008. https://www.painpolicy.wisc.edu/on-line_course/welcome.htm

Presenting Author

Adem Bytyqi

Poster Authors

Adem Bytyqi

Dr.

General Hospital of Prizren

Lead Author

Fadil Kryeziu

PhD

NIPHK

Lead Author

Butrint Bytyqi

Medicine faculty of Pristina

Lead Author

Endrin Bytyqi BSc.

Main Family Medicine Centre

Lead Author

Violeta Kryeziu

Dr.

NIPH

Lead Author

Bashkim Sylaj

PHA

Lead Author

Topics

  • Treatment/Management: Pharmacology: Opioid