Postoperative pain intensity and patient satisfaction: A multicentre observational study

Area of Science:

• Pain Management Research
• Surgical Patient Outcomes
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• Postoperative pain is a significant challenge, often inadequately managed, leading to complications and prolonged hospital stays.
• Understanding patient perspectives is crucial for improving pain management strategies in surgical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence and intensity of postoperative pain in hospitalized patients.
• To evaluate patient satisfaction with pain management protocols.
• To identify factors influencing pain intensity and satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter, cross-sectional correlational study involving 1327 adult surgical patients.
• Anonymous self-administered questionnaires adapted from the American Pain Society were used.
• Data collected included patient demographics, clinical characteristics, pain levels, and satisfaction with care.

Main Results:

• Nearly 70% of patients reported experiencing postoperative pain, with mean intensity scores of 5.23 at rest and 5.7 when moving (0-10 scale).
• Over 80% of patients expressed satisfaction or high satisfaction with their pain management.
• Factors associated with higher pain intensity included presurgical chronic pain, surgical specialty, and female gender; belief in pain relief correlated with lower intensity.

Conclusions:

• Despite high prevalence and intensity, patient satisfaction with postoperative pain management is notably high.
• Identifying factors influencing pain is key to refining management strategies and improving patient experience.
• The study highlights the need for continued efforts to optimize pain control in surgical patients.