Pain after surgery is traditionally management using standardized “one-size-fits-all” treatment protocols. Physicians generally select analgesic drugs and doses to treat surgical pain based on their own or institutional preference without extensive patient consultation or involvement. I will present a series of studies that we have conducted that challenges this paternalistic, standardized treatment approach. The feasibility and potential benefit of seeking input from patients regarding their personal preference for analgesic drugs and doses will be explored. Physician’s role should be to only present evidence-based pain treatment options and their potential side effects. Patient input prior to surgery can facilitate individualized perioperative pain treatment protocols based on patient’s preferences, expectations and needs. I believe this patient-centered surgical pain treatment model needs to be replace the existing “one-size-fits-all” model, and should be offered to all patients undergoing surgery.
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