Implementing patient information for gynae-oncology patients at a tertiary referral health service

To ensure that gynae-oncology surgical patients receive relevant written information, in their preferred format, and at a time that suits them, according to the best available evidence.

This project utilized an audit and feedback design and was conducted over a 9-month period from August 2015 to May 2016. Twenty-nine patients were audited prior to two strategies being implemented. The first strategy was a standardized e-mail letter to all patients (containing links to surgical information, cancer support websites and a short video introducing hospital staff, and the second was a discharge information sheet detailing wound care, signs of complications, actions to take and follow-up instructions. Thirty patients were audited post-implementation to evaluate the success of these strategies.

There were significant increases in the number of patients who said they received written information on their diagnosis, surgery and potential complications at initial consultation and a significant increase in the number of patients who said they were provided with written follow-up information on discharge. Pre-audit, 83% of patients stated they would like to receive a list of reliable websites to access and post-audit, 89% of patients stated they found the websites provided were useful.

Although gynae-oncology surgical patients did previously receive relevant verbal information, little or no written information was provided. The pre-implementation audit provided insight into the information these patients required. The e-mail was generally well received by patients; however; there was a minority who did not have internet access and therefore a paper version was provided.

This project identified deficits in the provision of written information for surgical gynae-oncology patients. Two strategies were implemented to address this deficit with positive results in the number of patients receiving written information; however, further investigation is needed to establish patient satisfaction with this information.