Improving satisfaction with postoperative pain management for patients with persistent pain: a preoperative pain medicine consultation intervention.

Purpose: Preoperative pain medicine consultations with opioid-tolerant patients allow for an accurate medication history, patient involvement in the postoperative plan, and realistic goal setting. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase attendance at preoperative pain consultations, thereby increasing patient satisfaction.

Methods: Retrospective chart reviews identified patients who had a preoperative pain consultation ordered from May through July 2016. Patient interviews determined reasons for not attending appointments, involvement in goal setting, engagement in pain management planning, and satisfaction with postoperative pain management.

Results: Retrospective chart reviews and interviews were conducted after the intervention (May-July 2017). Scheduling changes increased attendance at preoperative pain consultations by 14 percentage points (50% vs 64%). Those who attended consultations were more involved in goal setting and decisions and were more satisfied.

Conclusions: Preoperative pain consultations with opioid-tolerant patients can increase satisfaction through realistic goal setting and involvement in the pain management plan.