Patients' experiences of patient-controlled analgesia

We examined patients' experiences of patient-controlled analgesia by the use of semistructured interviews in 26 patients shortly after discontinuation of the device. The opinions expressed by the patients were examined qualitatively to identify recurring themes in their experience of patient-controlled analgesia. The area of interest were analgesia, factors influencing whether the patient pressed the button or not, whether they felt in control and side effects. Negative as well as the expected positive evaluations were found. The negative evaluations reflected problems with nausea and vomiting and inadequate analgesia. No clear strategy for pressing, or not pressing, the button emerged and the principle of control by the patient over their pain relief was not considered important. 'The uncritical acceptance of expert-driven questionnaires into clinical trial protocols will only diminish the importance of the patient's perspective.'