An ethnographic exploration of postoperative pain experiences among Ghanaian surgical patients
Loading...
Date
2014
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Abstract
The experience of pain associated with surgery has been a challenge for health care professionals for many years, and culture is said to influence pain. Purpose: This study focused on patients’ experiences of postoperative pain (POP) and factors that affect POP. Design: The study employed qualitative ethnographic principles. Method: Data were
collected through individual face-to-face interviews. Data were saturated after analyzing data from 13 patients from two hospitals in Ghana. Findings: Themes that emerged were the subjective nature of pain, which described pain dimensions and communication; psycho-sociocultural factors, such as personal inclinations and sociocultural background; and health system factors, such as personnel attitudes and health financing. Implications for Future Research and Practice: Health professionals need to understand the sociocultural effects of pain in order to give effective care. Conclusion: The study highlighted the need for patient education and the importance that health care professionals understand context-specific factors that influence POP management.
Description
Keywords
Postoperative pain, Patient's experience, Culture, Pain management, Pain response
Citation
Azaito, L. & Adejumo, O. (2014). An ethnographic exploration of post-operative pain experiences among Ghanaian surgical patients. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 8: 1-7