Editor’s Capsule Summary
What is already known on this topic
Providers in the emergency department (ED) often give opioids to patients with pain. Little is known about patients' knowledge and perceptions about analgesia after a visit to the ED.
What question this study addressed
What are the patient perspectives on their care after an ED visit for acute pain?
What this study adds to our knowledge
Open-ended interviews with 23 patients with selected acute pain complaints at 1 urban ED revealed themes of opioid addiction fear, perceived lack of provider concern, and opportunity for better communication about analgesia options.
How this is relevant to clinical practice
If sustained by research in other settings and conditions, these observations will inform analgesic protocols and care plans in an ED, targeting the opportunities noted.