Patients' perceptions of the post-pancreatectomy discharge process

Area of Science:

• Surgical Oncology
• Patient Education
• Healthcare Outcomes

Background:

• Pancreatectomy complications negatively impact patient outcomes.
• Patients often lack adequate education to recognize post-surgical complication signs.
• Effective patient education is crucial for managing post-pancreatectomy care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of an educational tool on patient satisfaction with the discharge process after pancreatectomy.
• To assess the effect of the educational tool on patient preparedness for discharge.
• To determine the influence of the educational tool on 30- and 90-day readmission rates.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study with retrospective chart review.
• Implementation of an interactive educational module (iBook) for patients undergoing pancreatic resection.
• Comparison of patient satisfaction and readmission rates between pre- and post-iBook implementation cohorts.

Main Results:

• The post-iBook group reported high satisfaction (92%) with the discharge process.
• A significant majority (89%) found the educational tool beneficial.
• No statistically significant differences were observed in 30- or 90-day readmission rates between the groups.

Conclusions:

• The educational module enhanced patient satisfaction and preparedness for discharge.
• The study suggests a need for larger sample sizes to investigate potential impacts on readmission rates.
• Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects of patient education on pancreatectomy outcomes.