Postoperative pain experiences: Relevant patient and staff attitudes

Helen R. Winefield, Mary Katsikitis, Leanne M. Hart, Bruce F. Rounsefell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

45 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Postoperative pain continues to occur, despite both advances in analgesic techniques and recognition of the damaging effect of pain upon recovery. This study set out to describe the pain experiences of successive cholecystectomy patients in a large teaching hospital, using three different pain measures and self-reports of anxiety and pain-related attitudes and experiences. Nurses and doctors in surgical wards provided parallel information about their pain-related attitudes and practices. A substantial proportion of patients suffered significant postoperative pain, apparently related to their fear of addiction and reluctance to ask for extra analgesic help. Nurses were more convinced than patients that patients should have more control of their own pain relief. Barriers to effective pain relief are seen to include cognitive, attitudinal and systemic factors; some suggestions are offered for reform of relevant hospital practices.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)543-552
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Psychosomatic Research
Volume34
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1990
Externally publishedYes

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