Pain management is a critical part of the care of the surgical patient. This study sought to investigate the impact of cultural and linguistic diversity on analgesic administration practices and opioid consumption during postoperative period. A retrospective medical record audit of 278 English-speaking and non-English speaking surgical patients was carried out at four hospitals in Sydney's South West. No differences were found in the type of analgesia prescribed, the mode of analgesia, or the commencement of oral analgesia between the two groups. However, non-English speaking patients consumed less analgesia during the initial postoperative period than their English speaking counterparts. The importance of this difference was further examined within the context of a range of factors known to influence analgesia consumption. A model including sociodemographic and clinical factors - mode of administration of analgesia, gender, and language spoken -predicted 37% of total opioid consumption. Although mode of administration was the most important factor, being of non-English speaking background also contributed substantially. Pain assessment, inclusive of gender and cultural nuances is recommended. The need for further research into pain interpretation in specific linguistic and cultural groups is highlighted / Master of Science (Hons) (Health)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/234748 |
| Date | January 2000 |
| Creators | Everett, Bronwyn L., University of Western Sydney, School of Nursing, Family and Community Health |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Source | THESIS_CSHS_NFC_Everett_B.xml |
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