'How Does Nothing Show Up When I'm in So Much Agony?': A Qualitative Study Exploring Patient Experiences of Non-Specific Abdominal Pain in Acute Surgical Care.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Non-specific abdominal pain is a common and diagnostically challenging presentation in acute care, yet little is known about patient experiences within this setting. This study explores the experiences of patients attending a surgical same-day emergency care (SDEC) unit with non-specific abdominal pain.

Design

Qualitative descriptive study using inductive thematic analysis.

Methods

23 adults (aged ≥ 18 years) presenting with acute non-specific abdominal pain to a surgical SDEC in England were purposively sampled. Semi-structured interviews were conducted at least 2 weeks after discharge and thematically analysed inductively, iteratively and collaboratively by a team of psychiatrists, surgeons and a lived experience co-researcher.

Results

Three them

SUBMITTER: Taylor AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12754566 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature