Training Researchers in the Field of Religion, Spirituality, and Health: Experiences from a Workshop in the United States and Recommendations for Future Workshop Curricula.

Although a substantial amount of research has been conducted in the field of religion, spirituality, and health, much still needs to be done. Training of researchers to conduct studies in the field of religion, spirituality, and health is essential for continued academic and methodological rigor. Such training should be globally oriented to ensure both representation and evidence from non-western cultures which is currently lacking.

A Unique Case Report on Methadone Used for Treatment of Opioid-induced Hyperalgesia in a Cancer Patient at the End of Life.

Opioids are the cornerstone of palliative pain management. Opioids work on the mu-opioid receptor as an agonist for the treatment of pain. Repeated exposure to opioids over time can lead to undesired desensitization of the antinociceptive receptor while sensitizing the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) pathway, causing a paradoxical effect where the treatment of pain creates more sensitivity to certain stimuli.

Cancer-related pain management in clinical oncology.

Uncontrolled pain is one of the most feared and debilitating symptoms among cancer patients, and many suffer unnecessarily from suboptimal pain control. Cancer-related pain is often multidimensional and can affect all aspects of a patient's life. Hence, achieving adequate pain relief among cancer patients involves a proper assessment of psychosocial, spiritual, and physical pain issues, matched with an individualized treatment plan involving pharmacologic, nonpharmacologic, and procedural therapies when appropriate.