Exploring post-surgical pain experiences and determinants: A qualitative analysis among Ghanaian abdominal surgery patients

Abstract

Background

Post-surgical pain can have a major impact on patients’ postoperative recovery. An in-depth exploration of patients’ post-surgical pain experiences can contribute to improving the quality of postoperative care. This study aimed to explore the post-surgical pain experiences and determinants (related factors) among patients who had undergone abdominal surgeries within Dormaa, Ghana.

Methods

An exploratory, descriptive qualitative study was conducted among 13 adult postoperative patients who were purposively sampled at a health facility in Dormaa, Ghana. Data were collected through individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Postoperative patients experienced severe pain after their surgical interventions, which they attributed to previous experience, fear, sadness and excessive thinking. Patients felt mild to severe pain, mainly at the incision site, yet utilised verbal and non-verbal means to express their post-surgical pains. Although nurses responded to patients’ pains through pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, some patients resolved not to express pain due to social, cultural, and religious factors related to their age, sex, financial status and faith in God or Allah.

Conclusion

Healthcare professionals should consider postoperative patients’ pain experiences and manage them effectively according to their sociocultural contexts and religious preferences.