A SURVEY OF PERCEPTIONS OF PATIENT SATISFACTION WITH PAIN CARE ON A GENERAL ONCOLOGY UNIT.

Post-discharge patient satisfaction surveys generally include global indicators of pain management but these rarely provide specific information about patients' levels of pain and perceptions of pain care. The purpose of this analysis was to examine relationships of pain and satisfaction outcomes and to identify predictors of satisfaction with pain care. An outcomes research framework guided this investigation. A multidisciplinary team of investigators adapted and tested a preexisting postoperative pain satisfaction survey for general medicine and oncology service patients (N=223). Reliability and validity were established for an 18-item survey that generated 4 subscales confirmed by factor analysis. Six items measure dimensions of pain intensity. Seven questions address satisfaction with care; additional items for helpfulness of analgesics, wait times and overall pain control were included. Survey forms were distributed to patients on a general medical oncology unit oncology at the time of discharge over 9 months. Descriptive and correlation statistics, linear regression analyses, and nonparametric tests were used for data analyses. The sample consisted of 88 medical oncology patients (mean age 52.8 ± 14.6 yrs; 49.3% males; median length of hospitalization = 5 days). Acceptable reliability was evident for all 4 subscales (Cronbach's alphas .6 to .84). Satisfaction with pain relief was highly correlated to satisfaction with RN/MD pain treatment (rho = 0.67, P<.0.001) and concern (0.70, P<0.001). Higher "worst pain", and poorer perceptions of RN/MD concern and helpfulness of information predicted a "Tendency Toward Dissatisfaction" (P<0.001), while age and gender had no effect. Older age and less dissatisfaction with hospital care were associated with better "General Satisfaction" (P<0.001). Less "worst pain" and helpfulness of information in controlling pain were positively related to staff "Responsiveness" (P<001). No significant difference was observed for the "Pain Intensity" subscale between patients experiencing chronic cancer-related pain vs. acute pain. Routine assessments of pain and effectiveness of strategies to improve pain outcomes can provide useful information about pain experiences during hospitalization. Control of episodes of increased pain, staff expressions of concern about pain, and patient teaching on ways to control pain can make a difference in improving patients' perceptions of satisfaction with their pain care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]