Attitudes and Perceptions of Morphine in Patients with Advanced Cancer and their Family Caregivers: A Qualitative Study

The findings from a qualitative study of bow caregivers coped while they cared for a dying family member at home are presented. Fifteen family caregivers were interviewed twice following The death of their family member. Although it was not one of the original objectives of the research, coping emerged as a category needing further analysis. There were factors that either facilitated or interfered with caregiver coping. Those factors that facilitated their coping included characteristics of the caregivers themselves; contributions made by the dying person; and supportive networks, both formal and informal, available to the caregivers. Interfering factors related to caregiver experiences with informal and formal systems. From the more distant Perspective of post-death reflections, the caregivers Provided insight into how their coping was grounded in the meaning associated with their experiences.

Download Full-text

Morphine use for cancer pain: A strong analgesic used only at the end of life? A qualitative study on attitudes and perceptions of morphine in patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers

Palliative Medicine ◽

10.1177/0269216320904905 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 34 (5) ◽

pp. 619-629

Author(s):

Julia Fee Voon Ho ◽

Hayati Yaakup ◽

Grace Sook Hoon Low ◽

Siew Lih Wong ◽

Lye Mun Tho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Cancer Pain ◽

Advanced Cancer ◽

Pain Control ◽

Opioid Analgesics ◽

Tertiary Hospital ◽

Advanced Cancer Patients ◽

Attitudes And Perceptions ◽

Patients Acceptance

Background: The prevalence of undertreated cancer pain remains high. Suboptimal pain control affects quality of life and results in psychological and emotional distress. Barriers to adequate pain control include fear of opioid dependence and its side effects. Aim: To investigate the attitudes and perceptions of morphine use in cancer pain in advanced cancer patients and their caregivers and to examine the influence of caregivers’ attitudes and perceptions on patients’ acceptance of morphine. Design: Qualitative study involving semi-structured individual interviews transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. Setting/Participants: A total of 18 adult opioid-naïve patients with advanced cancer and 13 caregivers ( n = 31) were recruited at a private tertiary hospital via convenience sampling. Results: Attitudes and perceptions of morphine were influenced by previous experiences. Prevalent themes were similar in both groups, including perceptions that morphine was a strong analgesic that reduced suffering, but associated with end-stage illness and dependence. Most participants were open to future morphine use for comfort and effective pain control. Trust in doctors’ recommendations was also an important factor. However, many preferred morphine as a last resort because of concerns about side effects and dependence, and the perception that morphine was only used at the terminal stage. Caregivers’ attitudes toward morphine did not affect patients’ acceptance of morphine use. Conclusion: Most participants were open to future morphine use despite negative perceptions as they prioritized optimal pain control and reduction of suffering. Focused education programs addressing morphine misperceptions might increase patient and caregiver acceptance of opioid analgesics and improve cancer pain control.

Download Full-text