Characteristics and Medical Resource Utilization of Postoperative Patients

A considerable number of patients suffer prolonged chronic pain that does not retract or diminish after surgery, and are thus unable to achieve the desired results in receiving surgical treatment. Postoperative pain is gradually being perceived as a social issue as opposed to a personal health condition. Meanwhile, although efforts to address chronic pain with integrative medicine are continued in answer to the lack of success of pain management through surgery, there is still a lack of supporting evidence.

The objective of this survey study is to assess the characteristics, usage of conventional and Korean medical services, and prognosis by period before and after surgery in postoperative patients visiting a Korean medicine hospital, and analyze the associations between the preference for conventional and Korean medicine treatment. This study therefore investigates the usage of conventional and Korean medical services in postoperative patients, and is expected to provide information that will potentially aid patient decision making.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with chief complaint(s) of at least one or more of the following: low back pain (or radiating leg pain), neck pain (or radiating arm pain), knee pain, or shoulder pain
• Patients with a history of musculoskeletal surgery related to the chief complaint(s)
• Patients capable of effective communication with the researcher(s) and understanding the survey items
• Patients who have given written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Patients without a history of musculoskeletal surgery associated with the low back, neck, shoulder, or knee region(s)
• Patients whose current pain is mainly attributed to traffic accident injury
• Patients incapable of answering the researcher interviews and surveys
• Patients with other reasons rendering study participation inappropriate as judged by the researcher(s)