Interviews with patients who have cancer and their family members provide insight for clinicians.

ABSTRACT

The words of patients with cancer about pain management are powerful learning tools. Questions were posed about the meaning of pain for patients and families, effective pain management strategies, and professional caregivers' roles to three patients and families. This article details their responses about pain, pain management, and the barriers they encountered. Clinicians are urged to read these case reports to "hear" the importance of effective pain management to individuals and act appropriately.