Using the Web to reduce postoperative pain following ambulatory surgery

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Patient Education
• Surgical Outcomes

Background:

• Ambulatory surgery patients often experience postoperative pain.
• Effective pain management strategies are crucial for patient recovery.
• The internet presents a potential avenue for delivering patient education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of web-based educational information in reducing postoperative pain.
• To determine patient access and utilization of online surgical resources.
• To assess the impact of internet-delivered education on pain management outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled study involving 195 ambulatory surgery patients.
• Patients were provided access to a dedicated website with pain management information.
• Data collected on internet access, website utilization, and self-reported postoperative pain levels.

Main Results:

• 85% of study patients accessed the provided web resources.
• Patients utilizing the website reported significantly less postoperative pain upon returning home (p < 0.016).
• Significant reductions in pain were also reported for the night after surgery (p < 0.013) and the following day (p < 0.037).

Conclusions:

• Internet-based patient education is an effective tool for managing postoperative pain.
• Just-in-time online educational resources can positively influence clinical outcomes in ambulatory surgery.
• Leveraging the internet for patient education can enhance the recovery process and improve patient satisfaction.