Journal of Qualitative Research in Health Sciences
Journal of Qualitative Research in Health Sciences

Explaining the experiences of Patients Undergoing Surgery From Awareness During Anesthesia: A Qualitative Content Analysis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mostafa Roshanzadeh 1
Ali Taj 2
Ali Miri 1
Somayeh Mohammadi 1

1 Department of Nursing, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

2 Iranian Research Center on Healthy Aging, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran

10.34172/jqr.1281
Abstract
Background: Patients who experience awareness during anesthesia, in addition to the pain they experience during surgery, develop postoperative physical and psychological disorders that can affect the course of their lives. This study aimed to explain the experiences of patients undergoing surgery in the field of awareness under anesthesia.
Methods: The present qualitative research was conducted using conventional content analysis in 2022 in Iran. The present qualitative research was conducted using contract content analysis in 2022 in Iran. Twelve participants were purposefully selected from patients undergoing surgery at Valiasr Hospital in Borujen who had experienced awareness under anesthesia. Data were collected using in-depth semi-structured individual interviews and were analyzed using the Graneheim and Lundman approach. To manage the data, MAXQDA software version 10 was used.
Results: The important experiences of the participants were divided into 1 main category, invisible surgical wound, and 4 subcategories (living with psychological damage, residual fear, physical trauma, and spiritual distress).
Conclusion: Study participants experience physical and psychological trauma during awareness during anesthesia. To prevent many psychological and physical symptoms following the recollection of this phenomenon in individuals, we should first identify these individuals by conducting interviews and asking appropriate questions about the accuracy of this phenomenon in individuals. In the next stage, by examining the physical and psychological symptoms in different periods after the occurrence of the phenomenon and by timely identifying the different symptoms in these people and taking counseling and treatment measures, the severity of the symptoms and their negative effects on people’s daily lives can be prevented.

Highlights

Somayeh Mohammadi (PubMed) (Google Scholar)

Keywords

Awareness
Anesthesia
Patient
Surgery
Spiritual distress
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Journal of Qualitative Research in Health Sciences
Volume 14
Pages 1-7

  • Receive Date 23 May 2023
  • Revise Date 09 June 2025
  • Accept Date 17 July 2024

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