[Knowledge about amd attitude to postoperative pain therapy of health personnel. A questionnaire survey].

From research results published over the last years it appears that many surgical patients are still undertreated for their postoperative pain. The study was performed in order to reveal the attitudes and knowledge of physicians and nurses towards postoperative pain therapy. Questionnaires were sent to physicians and nurses at the surgical and anaesthesiological wards at the hospital. The study revealed that the real purpose of postoperative pain management, to ensure early mobilization and nutrition of the patients, did not receive proper attention. Too many of the house staff accepted that the patients should have moderate or severe pain, especially the younger physicians. The house staff is still concerned about the risk of inducing dependency when using opioids. The knowledge of the analgesics used in the ward is not sufficient and inappropriate methods of administration of opioids are still used. Educational intervention to improve the staff's knowledge about pain management in postoperative care is strongly needed.