Development of clinical recommendations to improve the care of people living with chronic pain as a long term or late effect of cancer and its treatment

Background Chronic pain is a common side effect of cancer treatment and is frequently cited as a top concern and unmet need for cancer survivors. This paper outlines the development of clinical recommendations to better support people with chronic pain as a long-term or late side effect of cancer and its treatment. Method Evidence was identified from empirical research, and new insights from cancer survivors ( n = 19) and healthcare professionals ( n = 135), with findings informing draft clinical recommendations. These recommendations were reviewed and refined within online stakeholder engagement events, which comprised Phase 1 researcher review ( n = 5) and Phase 2 Expert Review Panels (four groups and two one-to-one discussions). Membership of expert panels included cancer survivors living with chronic pain after cancer, and clinical, research, and education experts ( n = 16). Data generated from Expert Review Panels were analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis. Results There was shared opinion among stakeholders that the recommendations would be beneficial in this setting, the recommendations reflected the evidence and the complexity of implementation was acknowledged. Validating cancer survivors’ experiences of chronic pain was seen as essential to best practice and the importance of informed patients and healthcare professionals making good decisions together was recognised. Conclusions Resultant clinical recommendations are summarised as: PAINS : P repare and inform, A cknowledge and listen, I ncrease healthcare professional knowledge, N ame and diagnose, and S ervices and supported self-management interventions. Implementation strategies and future research are proposed.