Open AccessThe Introduction and Experiences of Methadone for Treatment of Cancer Pain at a Low-resource Governmental Cancer Center in India
Author(s) -
Gayatri Palat,
Charlotte Algotsson,
Spandana Rayala,
Maria GebreMedhin,
Eva Brun,
Mikael Segerlantz
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
indian journal of palliative care/indian journal of palliative care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.395
H-Index - 26
eISSN - 1998-3735
pISSN - 0973-1075
DOI - 10.25259/ijpc_383_20
Subject(s) - medicine , methadone , cancer pain , cancer , center (category theory) , resource (disambiguation) , cancer treatment , psychiatry , computer network , chemistry , computer science , crystallography
Objectives: This study aimed to describe the clinical experience of the health-care professionals (HCPs) responsible for the introduction of methadone, for the treatment of complex cancer pain, at a low-resource hospital in India in a patient-group, burdened by illiteracy, and low socio-economic status. Materials and Methods: Ten HCPs: Four medical doctors, four nurses, one pharmacist, and one hospital administrator were interviewed. The interviews are examined using a qualitative conventional content analysis. Results: The interviews showed a confidence amongst the HCPs, responsible for the safe introduction of methadone in a stressful and low-resource surrounding, to patients with cancer pain and the different aspects of methadone, as initiation, titration, and maintenance of treatment. Conclusion: Introduction of methadone for cancer pain management is safe and feasible although low resources in a challenging hospital setting and care environment.