Attitudes, beliefs, and expectations of gynecological patients toward postoperative pain and its managementt.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the attitudes, beliefs, and expectations of gynecological patients regarding postoperative pain and management.


METHODS
A prospective study performed in 112 patients undergoing major gynecological surgery, using a preoperative questionnaire regarding expectations toward postoperative pain and management and a postoperative questionnaire regarding actual pain experience, attitudes, and beliefs about pain and management.


RESULTS
The majority expected (92%) and experienced (89%) postoperative pain at moderate to very severe levels. The median visual analog scales (VAS) of expected and maximum experienced pain were 6.4 and 6 6, respectively. Ninety-eight percent reported at least moderate pain relief from the analgesics administered. Ninety-two percent were satisfied with their pain management. A significant number held misconceptions about postoperative pain and its management.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients should be preoperatively advised regarding postoperative pain and management. Misunderstandings should be corrected to improve the quality and adequacy of postoperative pain management.
Nimmaanrat
Sasikaan
S
Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand. snimmaanrat@yahoo.com.au
Liabsuetrakul
Tippawan
T
Uakritdathikarn
Thida
T
Wasinwong
Wirat
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires