PERSPECTIVES OF ORTHOPEDIC PATIENTS ON POSTOPERATIVE PAIN MANAGEMENT IN A COUNTY REFERRAL HOSPITAL, KENYA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Winfred Nyambura Kariuki, Grace Githemo, Lister Onsongo

Abstract


Introduction: Postoperative pain management is the process of alleviating pain following surgical operation. Global prevalence of postoperative pain as reported in studies ranges between 50% and 70%. The study’s purpose was to understand the perspectives of orthopedics’ patients on postoperative pain management in Thika County referral Hospital.

Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted using purposively sampled eight patients in orthopedic wards. The participants’ interviews were audiotaped and translated into English language.  Thematic analysis was done using NVIVO software

Findings: The analysis yielded themes that included individual response to POPM, satisfactory pain management, unstandardized pain assessment, delayed pain management, patient initiated call to action to POPM and pain management therapies.

Conclusion: Overall, patients’ response to post-operative pain management in this study was individualized. Response to post-operative pain management varied from one patient to the other. Patients were satisfied with post-operative pain management interventions despite some experiencing delays in pain management.


Keywords


postoperative, pain management, perspectives

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References


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