Patients and Nurses Attitudes to Hysterectomy and Postoperative Pain Management

Over 500,000 hysterectomies are performed yearly in the United States, and they often result in a moderate to severe amount of pain. Nurses play a significant role in postoperative pain management. However, studies have shown that despite technological advances and nurses' theoretical knowledge of pain, postoperative pain management remains a challenge among healthcare providers. The purpose of this study was to examine how nurses' and patients' attitude towards abdominal hysterectomy can impact postoperative pain management and hospital length of stay after a hysterectomy. Informed by the theory of reasoned action, the study examined the differences in the nurses' and patients' attitudes to abdominal hysterectomy and postoperative pain management. It also examined the correlation between attitudes toward postoperative pain management and hospital length of stay after a hysterectomy. A convenience sample of 147 participants were recruited from a self-administered online survey. Using the SPSS software, data was analyzed by an independent t test, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression. No statistical difference was found between patients and nurses' attitudes toward abdominal hysterectomy. However, a significant difference was found between the attitudes of each group toward postoperative pain management. There was also a strong negative correlation between attitudes to postoperative pain management and hospital length of stay. This study may aide nurses on ongoing pain management education for both new and seasoned nurses in practice. It will also help hospitals with pre- and postoperative patient education, which will lead to better collaboration with their nurse caregivers. Finally, this study will add to the existing body of research.