RESUMO
PURPOSE: To identify issues in managing pain of children with cancer in the two pediatric oncology centers in Morocco. METHODS: Focus groups were conducted with pediatric oncology nurses and physicians. FINDINGS: Four themes were identified: (a) children's cancer pain is an overwhelming concern to the Moroccan nurses and physicians who participated in this study; (b) training and resources for children's cancer pain management are lacking in Morocco; (c) some impediments to pain relief were verbalized, such as a stoic approach to suffering and limited use of some drugs; and (d) a critical need exists for a comprehensive pain management approach for children with cancer in Morocco. CONCLUSIONS: This study elucidated issues in managing children's cancer pain in Morocco and increased knowledge of current practice issues. A program of policy research has been initiated with the aim of establishing guidelines for practice policies for managing children's cancer pain in Morocco.
Assuntos
Neoplasias/complicações , Dor/prevenção & controle , Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde/etnologia , Atitude Frente a Saúde/etnologia , Canadá , Criança , Grupos Focais , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Humanos , Intercâmbio Educacional Internacional , Oncologia/educação , Oncologia/métodos , Marrocos , Avaliação das Necessidades , Papel do Profissional de Enfermagem , Pesquisa Metodológica em Enfermagem , Enfermagem Oncológica/educação , Enfermagem Oncológica/métodos , Dor/diagnóstico , Dor/etnologia , Dor/etiologia , Medição da Dor , Enfermagem Pediátrica/educação , Enfermagem Pediátrica/métodos , Guias de Prática Clínica como Assunto , Estados UnidosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: As infections are controlled in developing countries, other pediatric subspeciality programs such as oncology become increasingly important. A major impediment to the development of such programs is a lack of trained nurses. Therefore, education of pediatric subspecialty nurses becomes a priority. PROCEDURE: We describe three models we have used for education of pediatric oncology nurses: a short series of classes or lectures with additional training of key nurses, an expanded 12 week series of classes at centers combining didactic and clinical instruction and a regional residential school offering regular 12 week courses in theory and clinical practice. RESULTS: Cost analysis showed that the cost per nurse trained was, respectively, 3,700; 4,350; and 5,500 US dollars. Early effectiveness indicators show that retention rates are high, home institutions are satisfied, and nurses trained shared their knowledge with other nurses and improved nursing practices. CONCLUSIONS: Programs to teach subspecialty nursing in developing countries are effective and can improve medical care. Such programs should be based on past experience and evaluated as to cost and effectiveness.