Table 1.

Innovative and Emerging Models for Delivering Cancer Pain Education Programs

Randomized Trials
Reference	Participants	Intervention	Findings
Kravitz et al., 2011 [19]	At least moderate pain severity or interference Mixed cancers N = 265	Single face-to-face session up to 1 hour Compared tailored education and coaching (aimed at reducing pain misconceptions and enhancing skills and self-efficacy for communicating with physicians about pain) to enhanced usual care (provision of basic information about cancer pain management) Delivered by trained lay health educators Participants followed for 12 weeks	↑ Pain communication self-efficacy Temporary ↓ pain-related interference No effects on pain intensity
Kroenke et al., 2010 [33]	At least moderate levels of pain and/or depression Mixed cancers N = 405	Patients from 16 community-based urban & rural oncology practices Compared telephone-based centralized symptom education and management (at least 4 calls during first 3 months) to usual care Included automated home-based symptom monitoring which guided care provided by nurse-physician specialist team Nurse care manager logged mean of 157 minutes direct telephone time per patient in the intervention group (mean of 11 calls) during the 12 month trial	↓ Pain intensity ↓ Depression severity Majority of patients found nurse care manager calls and automated symptom monitoring at least moderately helpful (82% and 73%, respectively)
Oldenmenger et al., 2011 [21]	Advanced stage + at least moderate pain Mixed cancers N = 72	Compared a multi-modal intervention (consultation with a pain specialist and tailored pain education from a palliative care nurse who also provided weekly phone-based monitoring of pain and side effects) to standard care 8-week follow-up	↓ Pain intensity + interference ↑ Analgesic adherence ↑ Pain knowledge Pain management adequacy did not differ between groups
Thomas et al., 2012 [83]	At least mild pain Mixed cancers 90% male N = 318	Three-group design comparing pain education (video and pamphlet), coaching (video and pamphlet + 4 telephone sessions of motivational interviewing to address pain management attitudes), and usual care Delivered by advanced practice nurse 6-month follow-up	↓ Pain interference and ↑ mental health in coaching group compared to education or usual care groups
Smith et al., 2010 [22]	Breast cancer patients with persistent and moderate pain N = 89	Compared a single 30-minute pain education/communication skills training session (i.e., myths/misconceptions about pain and analgesics; communicating with healthcare providers about one’s pain and doing in-session role plays; monitoring pain and in-session practice using a pain diary) to attention control Delivered by interventionists with training in psychology, public health, or health education 12-week follow-up	↓ Pain barriers No significant effect on pain relief, adequacy of pain management, distress, or quality of life