Family Caregivers Call for More Pain Management Support Before Surgery

BRISBANE, Calif., Oct. 07, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Pacira BioSciences and Caregiver Action Network (CAN) have released findings from a survey and roundtable discussion aimed at understanding the challenges family caregivers face in preparing for and managing recovery at home after surgery. The survey, which gathered insights from 202 family caregivers, highlighted significant gaps in the support and information provided to caregivers during the hospital-to-home transition.

According to the survey, nearly eight in ten respondents (78%) agreed that caregivers are often expected to manage pain at home without sufficient information. Over three-quarters (76%) of the survey participants expressed concern about managing care at home in the initial days after surgery. Specifically, 63% were worried about administering the correct dose of pain medication on time, while 60% were concerned about how to get help if pain continued or side effects arose. Notably, 38% of respondents reported receiving very little or no information about pain management options prior to the surgery.

These findings were further complemented by an August 2026 roundtable discussion with 10 caregivers, which provided additional insights into the practical challenges faced by caregivers. The roundtable highlighted the transition from hospital-to-home as a period of uncertainty and rapidly changing responsibilities. Some caregivers received only basic discharge instructions or were excluded from care discussions, while others had to coordinate medications, monitor pain and side effects, and determine when changes in symptoms warranted additional medical attention.

Marvell Adams Jr., CEO of CAN, emphasized the importance of preparing caregivers before surgery with clear, practical information.

The survey also revealed that nearly all respondents (97%) said understanding all available pain management options before surgery was very or extremely important. To better prepare for recovery, 72% of survey respondents wanted a detailed pain management plan outlining medications, timing, and side effects. Other requested resources included information on alternatives to standard pain medications (64%), pre-procedure education about pain management (58%), and access to a healthcare provider after discharge (53%). Roundtable participants stressed the importance of preparing for both expected and unexpected challenges, such as medication schedules, potential side effects, changes in mobility, and questions that emerge after returning home.

Before a procedure, 41% of respondents said they understood that multiple pain management approaches were available and asked their loved one's healthcare provider about the options. Another 27% knew options existed but did not fully understand the differences, while 29% assumed the healthcare provider would decide what was best. Awareness of non-opioid pain management options also varied, with 33% saying they were either not aware of non-opioid options or were vaguely familiar with them. At the same time, 72% said they would have been very or somewhat likely to consider or request an alternative if they had received more information about pain management options before surgery.

The survey and roundtable findings underscore the importance of involving caregivers in pain management discussions earlier in the surgical process. Pacira BioSciences and CAN are working to elevate caregiver voices and better understand the support and tools family caregivers need as they help loved ones prepare for surgery and navigate recovery at home.