Abstract
AimThe purpose of this study was to describe how patients perceive the use of the numeric rating scale in postoperative pain assessments. BackgroundThere are recommendations to use a pain scale to follow patients' postoperative pain. Most patients prefer the NRS but there is a discrepancy between patients and healthcare professionals how to interpret the ratings from the pain assessments. MethodsA descriptive design with a phenomenographic approach was used. Semi structured interviews were held with 25 patients. ResultsThree description categories emerged that illustrate patients' perceptions; use of the NRS facilitated communication of pain, it put demands on healthcare professionals and care routines and it contained interpretation difficulties. ConclusionThe NRS has a place in pain management according to the patients but there is a need for a dialogue to give the patients the opportunity to describe their pain and set a common goal.
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