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Cancer pain presents in approximately 66% of patients in advanced stages. Although several guidelines and pharmacological options are available for cancer pain management (CPM), assessment and treatment of cancer pain remain inadequate globally, particularly in developing countries. Lack of knowledge and negative attitudes towards CPM among healthcare professionals (HCPs) are important barriers to CPM. This survey aimed to evaluate nurses' and physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and potential barriers regarding CPM in Libya. This cross-sectional survey involved a convenience sample of 152 oncology nurses and physicians working in six oncology settings in Libya. The response rate was 76%. The Barriers Questionnaire II (BQ-II) was used for data collection (higher scores signify greater attitudinal barriers and poorer knowledge). Data analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 26 software. An independent t-test (unadjusted estimate) indicated that Libyan nurses showed higher mean barrier scores (mean = 3.8, SD = 0.7) to CPM than physicians (mean = 2.9, SD = 0.8), p < 0.001. The six most common differences in attitudinal barriers between nurses and physicians were "opioid side effects," "poor tolerance," "strong patient endures pain," "distract the physician," "drug addiction," and "opioids impair immune function," p < 0.001. Multiple regression results (adjusted estimate) indicated that nurses had more barrier scores to CPM than physicians (B = − 0.530, p < 0.05), and participants with higher educational levels were associated with lower barrier scores to CPM (B = − 0.641, p < 0.05). Our results suggest that Libyan oncology HCPs hold perceived barriers, lack of knowledge, and negative attitudes towards CPM. Professional education and training in CPM, addressing phobia and myths on opioid usage, and the benefits and complications of using opioids are likely to result in reduced barriers to CPM in Libya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patient information about living donor kidney transplantation is used to supplement conversations between health professionals, people with advanced kidney disease and potential kidney donors. It is not known if the information is designed to support decision‐making about renal replacement options and if it helps people discuss living kidney donation with family and friends. Objective: Critical review of resources used in outpatient kidney consultations to support patients' decision‐making about living kidney donor transplantation. Design: Mixed methods including an audit questionnaire and critical analysis of patient information leaflets. Participants and measurements: All kidney transplant centres and renal units in United Kingdom received a questionnaire to elicit by whom, how, and when information about living kidney donation is delivered. Copies of leaflets were requested. A coding frame was utilised to produce a quality score for each leaflet. Results: Thirty‐nine (54%) units participated. Patients discussed living donor kidney transplantation with nephrologists (100%), living donor nurse (94%), transplant co‐ordinator (94%), and predialysis nurse (86%). Twenty‐three leaflets were provided and reviewed, mean quality scores for inclusion of information known to support shared decision‐making was m = 2.82 out of 10 (range = 0–6, SD = 1.53). Readability scores indicated they were 'fairly difficult to read' (M = 56.3, range = 0–100, SD = 9.4). Few included cultural and faith information. Two leaflets were designed to facilitate conversations with others about donation. Conclusions: Leaflets are unlikely to adequately support decision‐making between options and discussions about donation. Services writing and updating patient leaflets may benefit from our six principles to guide their development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People from different religious faiths are studied to examine the role played by faith and religion in attitude forming towards screening, prenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancy for sick cell and thalassaemia disorders. While making decisions people look at faith from the broader perspective of individual, family and social relationships and the decision about whether or not to have diagnostic testing related to attitudes towards the termination of pregnancy.