title: Perceptions about traditional and novel methods to learn about postoperative pain management: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of surgical patients about traditional and novel methods to learn about postoperative pain management.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Patient education is an important part of postoperative care. Contemporary technology offers new ways for patients to learn about self-care, although face-to-face discussions and brochures are the most common methods of delivering education in nursing practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative design with a vignette and semi-structured interviews used for data collection.
  
  
  METHODS
  A purposeful sample of 13 postsurgical patients, who had been discharged from hospital, was recruited during 2013-2014. The patients were given a vignette about anticipated hospital discharge after surgery with four different options for communication (face-to-face, brochure, website, serious game) to learn about postoperative pain management. They were asked to rank their preferred method of learning and thereafter to reflect on their choices. Data were analysed using an inductive content analysis approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients preferred face-to-face education with a nurse, followed by brochures and websites, while games were least preferred. Two categories, each with two sub-categories, emerged from the data. These conceptualized the factors affecting patients' perceptions: (1) 'Trusting the source', sub-categorized into 'Being familiar with the method' and 'Having own prejudgments'; and (2) 'Being motivated to learn' sub-categorized into 'Managing an impaired cognition' and 'Aspiring for increased knowledge'.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To implement successfully novel educational methods into postoperative care, healthcare professionals need to be aware of the factors influencing patients' perceptions about how to learn, such as trust and motivation.
authors.affiliation: Divison of Nursing, Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden. brynjain@landspitali.is.|Landspitali - The National University Hospital of Iceland, Surgical Services and Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland. brynjain@landspitali.is.
authors.forename: Brynja
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ingadottir
authors.affiliation: Landspitali - The National University Hospital of Iceland, Surgical Services and Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Blondal
authors.affiliation: Divison of Nursing, Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Tiny
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jaarsma
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ingela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Thylen
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D009732:Nursing Care; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care
keywords: content analysis; educational methods; nursing; patient education; patient learning; postoperative self-care; vignettes