Pain management of lung cancer patients by general practitioners

Pain Management of Lung Cancer Patients by General Practitioners. Introduction: This study evaluated the place of general practitioners (GP) in managing pain of lung cancer (LC) patients and their knowledge of specific guidelines. Patients and Methods: Prospective study including LC patients presenting with pain with a need for WHO (World Health Organisation) level III medication. Pain evaluation (Brief Pain Inventory), current treatment and patients with doctor satisfaction were evaluated. Patients' GP were invited to answer a questionnaire. Results: Fifty-nine patients (median age, 58 years), mainly stage IV Non Small Cell LC (n = 40) were included. Before treatment, 47 patients presented with moderate/severe pain which moderately/severely impacts on daily activities. Patients were mainly satisfied with their GP. Fifty-six GP were questioned (35 answered, 62.5%). Twenty-four known guidelines but no one had a specific training for pain management. Twenty-five used visual analogical scales for pain evaluation but morphine's prescription largely varies when compared with guidelines. Conclusions: Pain management for lung cancer patients seems always perfectible and development of specific training represents a pragmatic short term objective.