Patient-centred educational interventions for assessing and managing cancer-related pain relevant to minority ethnic populations: A mixed-methods systematic review

Objectives: Effective pain management remains a significant challenge for patients with cancer, where disparities in care and treatment are evident. Patients from minority ethnic populations are often inadequately assessed and undertreated for pain. Patient-centred educational interventions have proven effective in enabling patients to communicate their pain to clinicians. However, the factors that make cancer pain education interventions relevant and acceptable for patients from minority ethnic populations are not well understood. This study aims to systematically identify, appraise, and synthesise evidence on educational resources for the assessment and management of cancer-related pain, and to evaluate their relevance for patients from minority ethnic populations. Method: A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted (PROSPERO: CRD42024498184), with searches in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and CINAHL from inception to June 2025. Studies focusing on patient-centred educational interventions for the assessment and management of cancer-related pain were eligible for inclusion. The search was not limited to minority ethnic populations, as broader cancer pain education literature may offer valuable, applicable insights. Quality appraisal was performed with “QualSyst.” Results: A total of 3560 studies were identified, of which 62 (5 qualitative, 56 quantitative, 1 mixed-method) met the eligibility criteria. Only six studies specifically focused on minority ethnic populations, all of which were based in the United States and involved Hispanic, African-American, Indian-American, and Asian-American populations. Key components of educational interventions were identified, and an initial logic model was developed to guide the creation of future educational resources for cancer pain management. Conclusion: Evidence directly addressing cancer pain management in minority ethnic populations remains limited. Nonetheless, the review does identify promising intervention components and structural considerations for culturally responsive patient-centred care. Current evidence highlights the importance of developing tailored educational interventions aimed at improving knowledge, correcting misconceptions, enhancing communication, and promoting self-monitoring to empower patients to manage cancer pain effectively and seek help when needed.