title: Postoperative pain after hospital discharge.
abstract: Thirty postoperative adults were surveyed using face-to-face interviews in their homes after hospital discharge. Participants were asked to describe their pain communication during their inpatient hospitalization and pain-related problems after discharge. This study reports the content analysis of participant responses to their pain after discharge. Eighteen (60.0%) described pain-related problems after discharge. Seven (23.3%) identified pain-related fears or complications. Six (20.0%) identified analgesic management problems. Six (20.0%) described difficulty with positioning or moving. Four (13.3%) described sleep disruption from pain. The results identify several pain-related problems encountered by postoperative patients after hospital discharge. Shortened hospital stays make effective postdischarge pain management an essential aspect of care for surgical patients. Teaching patients additional pain management skills, including when and how to communicate with health care providers when pain-related issues occur at home, may lead to more effective pain relief for patients.
authors.affiliation: University of Connecticut, USA.
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: McDonald
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics