Factors influencing optimal postoperative pain management: a scoping literature review protocol

Effective postoperative pain management is a critical component of surgical care, directly influencing patient recovery, satisfaction and long-term outcomes. Despite recent advances in pain management, postoperative pain remains poorly managed worldwide, suggesting that postoperative pain outcomes are influenced by factors beyond the inherent efficacy of available treatments. This scoping review aims to map the factors influencing postoperative pain management and recommendations that support optimal, evidence-based pain management after surgery.

A mixed methods scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute manual for evidence synthesis and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping review guidelines. PubMed (MEDLINE), Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature and PsycINFO will be searched for the relevant literature from the journals' inception to September 2025. Two reviewers will independently conduct the screening of titles and abstracts, full-text articles and data extraction. Data will be mapped onto the Theoretical Domains Framework and Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behavior model. Where additional data requires coding, thematic analysis will be conducted using NVivo data management software.

The scoping review will analyse publicly available data. Therefore, ethical approval is not required. The findings will serve as a foundation for engaging relevant stakeholders in discussions aimed at implementing systemic changes to support healthcare providers in enhancing postoperative pain management. The results will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal publication, local fora and conference presentations to ensure broad visibility and impact.