Patient satisfaction with pain relief following major abdominal surgery is influenced by good communication, pain relief and empathic caring: a qualitative interview study

Background: Monitoring and improving the quality of care is an ever increasing concern for health care organisations. Measuring the effectiveness of clinical outcomes is done by looking at specific markers of high quality care. Pain management is considered one of the markers of high quality care and satisfaction with pain management is a crucial and important quality assurance marker; yet, we know little about what contributes to a patient’s decision about satisfaction. Methods: A qualitative study drawing on phenomenological approach aiming to evaluate the perspective of patients experiencing post-operative pain. Patients undergoing major abdominal surgery were recruited from a Renal Transplant and Urology ward in the North of England, UK. Data were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews and were analysed using Colaizzi’s approach. Results: Ten patients participated in the study and three themes emerged from the analysis. The findings of this study revealed that in order to achieve satisfaction with the management of pain, patient care has to include information delivery which is timely and adequate according to a patient’s individual needs, nurses should have a caring attitude and pain should be well controlled. Conclusion: Satisfaction with pain management is influenced by good communication and information transfer, appropriate pain management and an empathic presence throughout.