Cancer Pain Treatment Differences in a Matched Sample of Older African-American and European-American Hospice Patients at the End-of-Life

Differences in the experience and treatment of cancer pain between African American and European American adults in community settings are noted in the literature. However, little is known about the treatment experience of older African Americans and European Americans in hospice settings at the end-of-life. Evidence shows that African Americans utilize hospice services less often, and report higher cancer pain intensities but receive less optimal treatment despite the availability of best practices for cancer pain management. The purpose of this study is to determine if there are differences in best practice cancer pain treatments in a matched sample of older African Americans and European Americans in hospice at the end-of-life. To determine this we asked the following questions: Are there racial differences in non-drug and pharmacological treatments ordered and taken? Are there differences in implementation of best practices for cancer pain treatment?  To answer these questions, we will conduct a secondary data analysis of a robust data set from a translating research into practice (TRIP) cancer pain management intervention study. Our sample includes 134 older African American and European American hospice patients with various types of cancer matched by age (±1 year) and sex. Based on the literature, we hypothesize that there are differences in pain intensity, treatments ordered and taken, and implementation of evidence-based practices for cancer pain management between African Americans and European Americans.