title: Numeric rating scale: patients' perceptions of its use in postoperative pain assessments.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to describe how patients perceive the use of the numeric rating scale in postoperative pain assessments.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  There are recommendations to use a pain scale to follow patients' postoperative pain. Most patients prefer the NRS but there is a discrepancy between patients and healthcare professionals how to interpret the ratings from the pain assessments.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive design with a phenomenographic approach was used. Semi structured interviews were held with 25 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three description categories emerged that illustrate patients' perceptions; use of the NRS facilitated communication of pain, it put demands on healthcare professionals and care routines and it contained interpretation difficulties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The NRS has a place in pain management according to the patients but there is a need for a dialogue to give the patients the opportunity to describe their pain and set a common goal.
authors: School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden; Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Ryhov County Hospital, Jönköping, Sweden. Electronic address: kerstin.eriksson@lj.se.
authors: Kerstin
authors: K
authors: Eriksson
authors: School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden; Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Ryhov County Hospital, Jönköping, Sweden. Electronic address: charlotta.wikstrom@lj.se.
authors: Lotta
authors: L
authors: Wikström
authors: School of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden; Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Nursing Science, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Palliative Research Centre, Ersta Sköndal University College and Ersta hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: kristofer.arestedt@lnu.se.
authors: Kristofer
authors: K
authors: Årestedt
authors: School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden. Electronic address: bengt.fridlund@hhj.hj.se.
authors: Bengt
authors: B
authors: Fridlund
authors: School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden; Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden. Electronic address: anders.brostrom@hhj.hj.se.
authors: Anders
authors: A
authors: Broström
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Pain assessment; Pain scale; Patients' perceptions; Postoperative pain