A Holistic Nursing Framework for Patient-Centred Cancer Pain Management: A Perspective

Abstract

Background: Despite advances in oncology and evidence-based pain management guidelines, cancer pain remains one of the most prevalent and inadequately controlled symptoms among people living with cancer. Current pain management continues to rely predominantly on pharmacological approaches and symptom intensity assessment, whereas the multidimensional nature of cancer pain requires broader strategies that align with the principles of person-centered care.

Objective: This Perspective discusses the limitations of current cancer pain management and proposes holistic nursing models as a conceptual framework to strengthen person-centered pain management in oncology.

Main Discussion: Cancer pain is influenced by interacting physical, psychological, social, and spiritual factors that extend beyond nociceptive mechanisms. Although contemporary guidelines provide effective recommendations for pharmacological treatment, they often do not fully address patients' self-management capacity, psychosocial needs, spiritual well-being, or individual care priorities. Holistic nursing provides an integrated approach by combining comprehensive assessment, collaborative goal setting, multidimensional nursing interventions, continuous self-management support, and ongoing evaluation. This framework positions nurses as key facilitators of patient engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and individualized symptom management. The proposed conceptual model emphasizes the coordinated integration of physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and self-management domains to improve the quality and continuity of cancer pain care.

Conclusion: Holistic nursing models represent a practical direction for implementing person-centered cancer pain management within routine oncology practice. Future research should develop, validate, and evaluate structured holistic nursing models to determine their effectiveness in improving patient-reported outcomes, including pain control, self-efficacy, quality of life, and patient satisfaction.