The President of HMA, Dr Péter Gaál, was a co-author of the article exploring the field of postoperative pain management, with first author Orsolya Lovasi, his former PhD student. The study published in the March 2024 issue of Perioperative Medicine Journal presents findings on pain management outcomes in Hungary by comparing surgical, orthopaedic, and trauma patients.
The Acute Pain Service (APS), offering significant added value regarding patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness, is not yet widely implemented in Hungary. Only two hospitals operate an APS, and their performance has not yet been evaluated.
The study included 348 patients—120 in the APS group and 228 in the control group. Patients completed an adapted version of the American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire, assessing pain intensity, the impact on physical and emotional function, side effects, patient satisfaction, the information provided, and involvement in treatment decisions.
The study’s findings reinforce previous international evidence on the benefits of APS in postoperative pain management and support its broader implementation in Hungarian hospitals. However, the research also highlights the need for greater attention to patient education and engagement, as better clinical outcomes alone do not necessarily translate into higher patient satisfaction.
Read the full article at the following link: Perioperative Medicine Journal