Experiences of patients during postoperative pain management : challenges for nurses when providing evidence based care to patients in a multicultural setting : a qualitative study

Abstract

Aim of this study is to explore patient’s perceptions, experiences and meanings attributed to pain during pain behaviors. The study will also try to explain the role of cultural influences on pain perceptions and reaction by patients during postoperative phase. Postoperative phase time covers after surgery to period of discharge from healthcare setting. This is a qualitative study. Systematic Review was utilized in data collection; content analysis to analyze data while inductive approach was used to abstract themes. Three main themes emerged during abstraction process namely; cultural attributions towards pain, communicative pain behaviors and responses describing pain suffering. Theoretical frameworks used for this study are Leininger’s Culture theory of diversity and universality; and Kolcaba’s theory of comfort. Data collection was collected through Nelli portal database using inclusion/exclusion criteria as a guideline in study materials selection.

Results emerged from this study found that culture and beliefs system remains the most occurring themes influencing patients’ pain behaviors during postoperative phase. Different interpretation, perception and meaning were attributed to pain based on patient’s own cultural beliefs. To conclude this study, recommendation was made that nurses should be culturally competent when providing evidence based care because patients bring their own cultural expectation towards health outcome.