Study designs of evaluations included in the review
The included studies were not restricted to randomised controlled trials (RCTs). The primary studies included RCTs, quasi-experimental studies, pre-test post-test studies, and retrospective reviews of medical records.
Specific interventions included in the review
Educational interventions designed to improve cancer pain were eligible.
The interventions directed at health professionals included: role model training programmes involving physicians, nurses and pharmacists, either on an individual or team basis; a wide range of educational interventions designed for nurses, ranging from a 90-minute programme to an extensive 40-hour programme; the introduction of cancer pain assessment tools into clinical settings; and comprehensive pain intervention programmes designed to improve several aspects of cancer pain assessment and management.
The interventions aimed at patients or family care givers ranged from a brief 15-minute counselling session by an oncology nurse, to a series of three educational home visits by a nurse who also delivered audiocassette tapes and a log book on drug use.
Participants included in the review
Adults with advanced cancer were eligible. Patients in the following settings were included: oncology units; hospitals including private, community, acute care and teaching hospitals; home and hospice care settings; and out-patient departments.
Outcomes assessed in the review
The inclusion criteria were not defined in terms of the outcomes. The following measures were used to assess the pain outcome: attitudes and knowledge; pain management; and pain relief/quality of life. The tools used to assess the outcomes included the Pain Management Index and the Self-Care Log of drug use.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors do not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many of the reviewers performed the selection.