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Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care
Published on: February 16, 2011
"Like a trip to McDonalds": a grounded theory study of patient experiences of day surgery
1School of Nursing and Health Visiting, Mary Seacole Building, University of Salford, Frederick Road, Salford M6 6PU, United Kingdom. a.mottram@salford.ac.uk
Background:
The amount and complexity of (ambulatory) day surgery is rapidly expanding internationally. Nurses have a responsibility to provide quality care for day surgery patients. To do this they must understand all aspects of the patient experience. There is dearth of research into day surgery using a sociological frame of reference.
Objective:
The study investigated patients' experiences of day surgery using a sociological frame of reference.
Design:
A qualitative study using the grounded theory approach was used.
Setting:
The study was based in two day surgery units in two urban public hospitals in the United Kingdom.
Participants:
145 patients aged 18-70 years and 100 carers were purposely selected from the orthopaedic, ear nose and throat and general surgical lists. They were all English speaking and were of varied socio-economic background.
Methods:
The data was collected from 2004 to 2006. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on three occasions: before surgery, 48 h following surgery and one month following discharge. Permission was received from the Local Research Ethics Committee. Analysis of the data involved line-by-line analysis, compilation of key words and phrases (codes) and constant comparison of the codes until categories emerged.
Findings:
Patients liked day surgery and placed it within the wider societal context of efficiency and speed. Time was a major issue for them. They wished surgery, like all other aspects of their life to be a speedy process. They likened it to a McDonald's experience with its emphasis on speed, predictability and control.
Conclusion:
This study throws new light on patient experiences and offers an understanding of day surgery against a western culture which emphasises the importance of speed and efficiency. It is a popular choice for patients but at times it can be seen to be a mechanistic way of providing care. The implications for nurses to provide education and information to add to the quality of the patient experience are discussed.
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