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Association Between Perceived Quality of Postoperative Pain Care and Patient-Reported Outcomes After Total Knee or
Serdar Sever1, Dilan Temir1, Elif Nazlı Çelen1
1Faculty of Health Sciences, Nursing Department, Usak University, Usak, Türkiye.
Aim:
This study aimed to examine the relationship between perceived quality of postoperative pain care and patient-reported pain-related outcomes in patients undergoing total knee or total hip arthroplasty and to identify factors associated with higher perceived care quality.
Design:
A descriptive, cross-sectional study.
Methods:
This study was conducted with 120 adult patients who underwent total knee or total hip arthroplasty in the orthopaedic and traumatology units of a public hospital in western Türkiye between 05 April and 30 August 2024. Data were collected using a patient information form, the American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire-Revised (APS-POQ-R) and the Strategic and Clinical Quality Indicators in Postoperative Pain Management Questionnaire (SCQIPP). The SCQIPP was used as the main outcome measure, with higher scores indicating better perceived quality of postoperative pain care. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, Pearson's correlation analysis and multiple linear regression.
Results:
The sample included 120 patients, of whom 98 underwent total knee arthroplasty and 22 underwent total hip arthroplasty. The mean SCQIPP score was 50.77 ± 7.41, indicating a moderate-to-high perceived quality of postoperative pain care. Female patients and those undergoing total knee arthroplasty surgery reported significantly higher SCQIPP scores. Higher SCQIPP scores were also observed among patients who received information about pain management and those who used non-pharmacological pain management methods. Among APS-POQ-R subscales, only perception of care was significantly correlated with SCQIPP scores. In multiple regression analysis, perception of care and perceived usefulness of pain-related information were independently associated with higher SCQIPP scores.
Conclusion:
The perceived quality of postoperative pain care was associated with patients' perception of care and the perceived usefulness of information about pain treatment. These findings suggest that improving postoperative pain management requires not only symptom control but also patient-centred communication, effective education, and support for non-pharmacological strategies.
Implications For The Profession And/Or Patient Care:
The findings indicate that the perceived quality of postoperative pain care is shaped more by patients' experience of care, especially communication, responsiveness and the usefulness of pain-related information, than by symptom burden alone. For nursing practice, this highlights the importance of patient-centred pain management that combines pharmacological treatment with clear education, supportive communication and guidance on non-pharmacological strategies. Nurses and multidisciplinary teams should not only assess pain intensity, but also evaluate whether patients feel informed, involved and supported during the postoperative period. Strengthening these aspects of care may improve patients' evaluations of pain management and contribute to a better early recovery experience after total knee and total hip arthroplasty.
Reporting Method:
This study was reported in line with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.
Patient Or Public Contribution:
Patients contributed to the study by completing the questionnaires at hospital. However, neither patients nor members of the public were involved in the study design, data analysis, interpretation of the findings or preparation of the manuscript.
