Pain Management among Postoperative Patients in Selected Health Facilities in the Central Region

Abstract

Pain is an imperative component of every surgical procedure, especially, during and after the procedure. Intraoperatively, advances in anaesthesia technology has improved the management of pain for both the patient and the surgeon. The management of postoperative pain, however, remains a challenge for health professionals, especially as it remains highly variable. The purpose of the study was to assess pain experiences of postoperative patient and how they are managed in three hospitals in the Central region. Qualitative research approach was employed for the study. Patients and health workers were interviewed with a semi structured interview guide to solicit responses from the participants from the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Trauma and Specialist Hospital, Winneba and the Cape Coast Metro Hospital. Surgery is still viewed as a critical phase in health care and pain continues to be a challenge for all patients who go through surgery. From the study, patients were anxious and mostly ignorant of the surgical processes and its outcomes. Also, the study revealed the clients depended on medication as the major means to manage their pains. The study again showed that clients/patients who had surgery were satisfied with the pains management that the healthcare providers gave them. From the finding, it was recommended that healthcare providers should be more proactive in their treatment of post-operative. Also, it was recommended that, the healthcare centres or facilities should make as a matter of concern make available counsellors who will offer pre-counselling before any surgery is done.