Patient attitudes towards analgesia and their openness to non-pharmacological methods such as acupuncture in the emergency department

Authors

Andrew L. Jan, The University of Notre Dame AustraliaFollow
Emogene S. Aldridge
Ian R. Rogers, University of Notre Dame AustraliaFollow
Eric J. Visser, The University of Notre Dame AustraliaFollow
Max K. Bulsara, The University of Notre Dame AustraliaFollow
Dana A. Hince, The University of Notre Dame AustraliaFollow

Publication Details

Jan, A. L., Aldridge, E. S., Rogers, I. R., Visser, E. J., Bulsara, M. K., & Hince, D. A. (2018). Patient attitudes towards analgesia and their openness to non-pharmacological methods such as acupuncture in the emergency department. Emergency Medicine Australasia, Early View (Online First).

Abstract

Aims: To investigate patient attitudes to analgesia, opioids and non-pharmacological analgesia including acupuncture, in the ED.

Methods: ED patients with pain were surveyed regarding: pain scores, satisfaction, addiction concern, non-pharmacological methods of pain relief, and acupuncture. Data were analysed using logistic regression.

Results: Of 196 adult patients, 52.8% were ‘very satisfied’ with analgesia. Most patients (84.7%) would accept non-pharmacological methods including acupuncture (68.9%) and 78.6% were not concerned about addiction. Satisfaction was associated with male gender, and ‘adequate analgesia’ but not with opioids.

Conclusion: Most patients were generally satisfied with ED analgesia and were open to non-pharmacologic analgesia including acupuncture.

Keywords

acupuncture, emergency medicine, pain management

Link to Publisher Version (URL)

10.1111/1742-6723.13218