Factors Influencing Patients’ Experiences of Pain Management in the Emergency Department

Abstract

Background: Despite management of acute pain, concerns regarding pain are still prevalent in the emergency department (ED). Purpose: This study aimed to explore the factors influencing patients’ pain management in a Jordanian ED. Method: Fifteen semistructured interviews (N = 15) with purposively selected patients in the ED. Results: The thematic analysis uncovered two related themes. The first theme described the stage of “being on ED bed” which encapsulates two subthemes: “bad pain means, bad diagnosis” and “smiley faces versus grumpy faces.” The second theme referred to as “being discharged” including two subthemes, namely, “praying for not paying” and “being grateful to God.” The lack of money to pay for pain management was equally as stressful as pain itself. Patients’ narratives suggest that nursing pain management is a critical time, extending beyond medical management to encompass communication and spirituality. Conclusions: The factors influencing the patients’ experience of pain management extend beyond addressing the source of the pain. Consequently, effective communication coupled with respecting patients’ spirituality and socioeconomic concerns is essential to pain management. To enhance patients’ experience of pain management, the ED system should shift toward a patient-centric model.