DISC-PAIN Study
Developing an Intervention to Improve Healthcare Professionals’ Knowledge, skills and Confidence when Supporting People Living with Cancer-related Pain: A Mixed-methods Study (DISC-PAIN)
Background
Cancer-related pain is complex and wide-reaching. It has a significant impact on the individual experiencing it and can result in reduced mobility, disrupted sleep, and low mood. The effects of cancer-related pain also extend to the family member/informal caregiver and healthcare professionals caring for those living with cancer-related pain. They can experience feelings of helplessness which can have a negative impact on their physical and mental wellbeing.
Cancer-related pain can be caused by different factors, such as the cancer itself and/or its treatments. It can last for many years even after treatment has finished.
Research shows that Healthcare professionals (HCPs) have poor knowledge of
cancer-related pain. However, the research surveys do not measure the right
things. The surveys do not cover all types of cancer-related pain, the impact it has on the person living with it, those around them, and the healthcare professional experience. This is important to understand the cancer-related pain experience from the viewpoint of the individual, their family member/informal caregiver, and Healthcare professional.
It is vital that healthcare professionals have the knowledge and skills to support those impacted by cancer-related pain.
This project aims:
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To explore the experience and needs of healthcare professionals, patients, and their family members/informal caregivers of cancer-related pain.
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To design a survey that assesses the knowledge, skills, and confidence of healthcare professionals when faced with the complexity of cancer-related pain.
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To establish the current knowledge, skills, and confidence of healthcare professionals within the UK when faced with the complexity of cancer-related pain.
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To bring together healthcare professionals, patients, and their family members/informal caregivers to identify the components of an intervention that will improve the delivery of care to those impacted by cancer-related pain.
Project Design
Preliminary work for this project was completed through a Pre-Clinical Academic Fellowship. Two specialist reviews of the literature (a scoping and a systematic review) have been completed. This helped to inform the design of this project. This project will be split into four phases using the Medical Research Council Framework for Complex Interventions.
Phase 1
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Interview HCPs, patients, and family members/informal caregivers to understand their experience of supporting people affected by CrP.
Phase 2
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Design a survey that assesses the knowledge, skills, and confidence of healthcare professionals when faced with the complexity of cancer-related pain.
Phase 3
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Use the survey to capture the knowledge of Healthcare Professionals working across the UK.
Phase 4
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Bring together Healthcare professionals, patients, and family members/informal caregivers to identify elements of an intervention that can improve the knowledge, skills, and confidence of healthcare professionals regarding cancer-related pain.
Progress of Project
Below outlines the current progress of the phases of the project.
Understanding the experience of cancer-related pain.
Healthcare Professional Experience - Completed.
Patient & Family member/informal caregiver experience.
Completed.
Developing a knowledge survey and capturing healthcare professionals' knowledge, skills, and confidence across the UK.
Recruitment open!
Identify components of intervention to improve healthcare professionals knowledge, skills and confidence of cancer-related pain.
Estimated Start Date September 2026
How to get involved
Get Involved Today
If you are interested in taking part in any of the phases within the DISC-PAIN study please see the information below. This will be updated with the current opportunities to take part in the study.
There is also the opportunity to become a member of the stakeholder engagement group. This group helps to inform the design of the study and ensures that it is meeting the needs of all those impacted by cancer-related pain. The stakeholder group is made up of members with lived experience of cancer-related pain and healthcare professionals who have expertise in cancer-related pain.
If you are interested in joining the stakeholder group, please email martin.1.galligan@kcl.ac.uk
Exploring healthcare professionals' knowledge, skills and confidence in cancer-related pain.
What is the purpose of the project?
The purpose of the project is to explore the experience, confidence and knowledge of healthcare professionals regarding cancer-related pain. All healthcare professionals working across the UK who come into contact with those impacted by cancer-related pain are invited to complete this online survey. The survey is a chance to share your experience but also explore your knowledge levels regarding different aspects of cancer-related pain.