A form to report pain assessment and monitoring in the oncology clinical record: a Delphi process

Future Oncol. 2023 Aug;19(24):1669-1676. doi: 10.2217/fon-2022-1109. Epub 2023 Apr 12.

Abstract

Background: Treatment of cancer pain remains suboptimal worldwide. In Italy, a law requires that pain be regularly assessed and reported in both medical and nursing records. Aim: To provide a homogeneous form to get exhaustive clinical information in the clinical report according to Italian legislation. Methods: A board, including oncologists and pain therapists, designed a form to report the pain characteristics of cancer patients in Italy in clinical records. The form was voted on through a Delphi process among directors of 18 clinical oncology specialization schools in Italy to obtain agreement on its content. Results: A form useful for collecting and reporting comprehensive and homogeneous information on pain among oncologists in Italy was produced. Conclusion: The development of common strategies for pain management can be improved by using this tool.

Keywords: Delphi panel; cancer pain; clinical record; oncology.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Medical Oncology*
  • Neoplasms* / complications
  • Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Pain / diagnosis
  • Pain / etiology
  • Pain Management
  • Pain Measurement