The information that patients, their families, and medical staff wish to know about postoperative pain and its management. Results of the survey after mixed surgical procedures.

BACKGROUND

Informing patients and families about perioperative pain management is a fundamental element of care. However, patients and their families are often not involved developing such resources. Thus, their viewpoints on content, timing, and methods of presentation remain unknown. Our survey aimed to assess perioperative pain information content, timing, and presentation methods most valued by patients, their families, and medical staff.

METHODS

The survey took place as part of a multi-center, quality improvement study in 6 hospitals. On the first postoperative day, patients, family members or friends, and medical staff were asked to complete a questionnaire addressing content about pain, side effects of analgesics, the timing of providing the information, and the preferred method of receiving the information. A composite score was created for questions regarding information content.

RESULTS

A significant difference in total composite score of information items about pain characteristics and management (p < 0.05) was observed between the groups. No significant difference was observed between groups for questions evaluating side effects of analgesics (p = 0.099). A significant difference was observed between patients and family members for questions concerning information post-discharge (p = 0.037).

CONCLUSION

We found that healthcare providers and patients differ in the some aspects of postoperative pain management they consider important. Patients and families were interested in post-discharge pain management, while medical staff rated pain characteristics and management in immediate period the highest. For all groups, the preferred time for providing information about perioperative pain was before surgery at the pre-operative clinic by an anesthesiologist or surgeon.