Experience of orthopaedic nurses managing pain in elderly surgical patients

İNTRODUCTION: The world is entering a period in which the proportion of elderly people is steadily increasing In parallel with the increase in the elderly population, there has been an increase in the number of surgical procedures performed on elderly patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate orthopaedic nurses' experiences of pain management in elderly patients undergoing surgery.

The study was conducted with 11 nurses with at least one year of experience working in the orthopaedic and traumatology clinic of a university hospital between 26 July and 1 October 2024. The research data were collected using the criterion sampling method of qualitative and survey methods, and the thematic analysis method was used in data analysis. Data were collected using a personal information form prepared by the researcher, and a semi-structured interview form prepared according to the purpose and scope of the study based on the literature.

Our study presented the pain experiences of orthopaedic nurses in elderly patients undergoing surgery under the themes of pain management, communication, individualized care, difficulties, professional development and support.

Our study highlights the importance of nurses' pain management practices in elderly patients, the difficulties experienced in doing so, and the needs for improved implementation of pain management. Behavioural scales shown to be clinically reliable should be embedded in standard protocols. Nurses should receive continuous training to apply these tools effectively, with educational content strengthened through case discussions and simulation exercises.