Patient satisfaction with postoperative pain management among adult surgical patients in Ethiopia: the role of analgesia waiting time, multimodal analgesia, and patient-provider communication

Getachew Tibebie Tessema; Betelhem Addis Aynalem; Baye Tsegaye Amlak; Nadie Abebe; Alemtsehay Getahun; Mohammed Hussien; Tesfaye Ayenew

doi:10.1186/s12871-026-03807-x

Patient satisfaction with postoperative pain management among adult surgical patients in Ethiopia: the role of analgesia waiting time, multimodal analgesia, and patient-provider communication

BMC Anesthesiol. 2026 Apr 18;26(1):304. doi: 10.1186/s12871-026-03807-x.

Authors

Getachew Tibebie Tessema¹, Betelhem Addis Aynalem², Baye Tsegaye Amlak³, Nadie Abebe⁴, Alemtsehay Getahun², Mohammed Hussien⁵, Tesfaye Ayenew⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.
² Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.
³ Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia. baye_tsegaye@dmu.edu.et.
⁴ Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine Debre, Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.
⁵ Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
⁶ Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Introduction: Patient satisfaction with postoperative pain management is an important indicator of healthcare quality. Despite various pain management approaches, evidence on patient satisfaction and its associated factors is limited in this setting. This study aimed to assess patient satisfaction with postoperative pain management and its associated factors among adult surgical patients at Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 323 adult surgical patients using systematic random sampling from October 1 to December 30, 2023. Patient satisfaction was assessed 24-72 h postoperatively using a structured questionnaire based on the modified APS-POQ and administered via Kobo Collect. Data were entered into EpiData version 4.6.0 and analyzed with SPSS version 25. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with patient satisfaction, with a p-value < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: Overall, 81.4% (95% CI: 76.7-85.5) of patients reported satisfaction with postoperative pain management. Higher satisfaction was significantly associated with ASA I status (AOR: 6.93; 95% CI: 1.10-43.69), receipt of multimodal analgesia (AOR: 4.23; 95% CI: 1.16-15.43), no to mild pain within the first 24 h (AOR: 10.58; 95% CI: 1.73-64.83), receiving pain management information and discussion (AOR: 9.61; 95% CI: 2.28-40.48), absence of chronic pain (AOR: 8.04; 95% CI: 1.75-36.92), and waiting ≤ 30 min for analgesia services (AOR: 27.37; 95% CI: 6.96-107.71). Large odds ratios indicate strong associations, but should be interpreted cautiously.

Conclusion: A high proportion of adult surgical patients reported satisfaction with postoperative pain management. Several clinical, communication-related, and service-related factors were associated with satisfaction; however, causal inferences cannot be made due to the cross-sectional design.

Keywords: Analgesia; Associated factor; Pain management; Patient satisfaction; Postoperative pain.

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Analgesia* / methods
Communication
Cross-Sectional Studies
Ethiopia
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Pain Management* / methods
Patient Satisfaction* / statistics & numerical data
Postoperative Pain* / drug therapy
Postoperative Pain* / therapy
Surveys and Questionnaires
Time Factors
Young Adult