PATIENT EXPERIENCES OF POSTOPERATIVE PAIN MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AFTER MAJOR GENERAL SURGERY PROCEDURES

Background: Postoperative pain remains a significant yet often underestimated concern in surgical recovery. Despite advancements in pain management protocols, patients undergoing major general surgery continue to report varied experiences of pain relief, satisfaction, and challenges, indicating a gap between clinical practice and patient expectations. Objective: To explore patient perspectives on the effectiveness, satisfaction, and challenges associated with postoperative pain management approaches following major general surgery. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted over eight months in a tertiary care hospital in Lahore. Twenty-four adult patients who had undergone major elective general surgeries were purposively selected. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted within seven days postoperatively. Thematic analysis was performed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework, supported by NVivo 12 software for coding and data organization. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional review board, and written informed consent was secured from all participants. Results: Four major themes emerged: perceived effectiveness of pain management, satisfaction with care, challenges in pain management, and coping strategies. Subthemes included satisfaction with initial analgesia, delays in medication delivery, fear of addiction, cultural norms suppressing pain expression, and reliance on faith and family support. Many patients expressed unmet expectations and emphasized the critical role of communication and empathy from healthcare providers in shaping their satisfaction with pain control. Conclusion: Patient experiences underscore the need for more personalized, empathetic, and culturally sensitive approaches to postoperative pain management. Bridging the gap between clinical protocols and patient realities may enhance satisfaction and recovery outcomes in general surgery.