Lotta Wikström1, Kerstin Eriksson2, Kristofer Årestedt3, Bengt Fridlund4, Anders Broström5. 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden. Electronic address: Bengt.Frinlund@hhj.hj.se. 5. School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden; Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden. Electronic address: anders.brostrom@hhj.hj.se.
Abstract
AIM: To describe how healthcare professionals perceive the use of pain scales in postoperative care. BACKGROUND: Pain scales are important but not an obvious choice to use in postoperative care. No study has explored how healthcare professionals experience the use of pain scales. METHODS: An explorative design with a phenomenographic approach was used. The sample consisted of 25 healthcare professionals. Semistructured interviews were performed. RESULTS: Four descriptive categories emerged - the use of pain scales facilitated the understanding of postoperative pain, facilitated treatment, demanded a multidimensional approach and was affected by work situations. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare professionals described that pain scales contribute to the understanding of patient's postoperative pain. It is important to ensure patient understanding and be aware about variations in pain ratings. Dialogue and observations are necessary to be certain what the ratings mean to the patient. The use of pain scales depends on patient's needs and organization.
AIM: To describe how healthcare professionals perceive the use of pain scales in postoperative care. BACKGROUND:Pain scales are important but not an obvious choice to use in postoperative care. No study has explored how healthcare professionals experience the use of pain scales. METHODS: An explorative design with a phenomenographic approach was used. The sample consisted of 25 healthcare professionals. Semistructured interviews were performed. RESULTS: Four descriptive categories emerged - the use of pain scales facilitated the understanding of postoperative pain, facilitated treatment, demanded a multidimensional approach and was affected by work situations. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare professionals described that pain scales contribute to the understanding of patient's postoperative pain. It is important to ensure patient understanding and be aware about variations in pain ratings. Dialogue and observations are necessary to be certain what the ratings mean to the patient. The use of pain scales depends on patient's needs and organization.
Authors: Regina L M van Boekel; Kris C P Vissers; Rob van der Sande; Ewald Bronkhorst; Jos G C Lerou; Monique A H Steegers Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-05-10 Impact factor: 3.240