Patients' need for information prior to colonic surgery

Area of Science:

• Surgical Care
• Patient Communication
• Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols

Background:

• Effective perioperative communication is crucial for patient involvement and quality care in elective colon surgery.
• Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols emphasize accelerated care through comprehensive patient information.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore nurses' and doctors' perceptions of patients' information needs prior to intraoperative care.
• To identify key informational requirements for patients undergoing elective colon surgery within an ERAS pathway.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative content analysis of data from focus groups with nurses (n=39) and individual interviews with anesthesiologists (n=10).
• Exploration of healthcare professionals' experiences regarding patient information needs before intraoperative procedures.

Main Results:

• Patients require information to alleviate anxiety, enhance feelings of safety, understand postoperative pain management, and navigate the care pathway.
• Healthcare professionals universally recognized a significant patient need for information, with no discernible differences based on specialty or experience.
• Information delivery should be multimodal and repeated throughout the perioperative period, addressing recurrent needs like diagnosis clarification.

Conclusions:

• Multiprofessional collaboration, clear communication, and a supportive attitude are essential for patient comfort and involvement.
• Repetitive and comprehensive perioperative information is vital for patients undergoing elective colon surgery.
• Addressing patients' information needs proactively contributes to a positive surgical experience and adherence to ERAS principles.