Immediate Mobilisation After Elective Colorectal Surgery-Patients' and Healthcare Professionals' Experiences: A...

Area of Science:

• Surgical Recovery
• Patient Experience
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Early mobilization is recommended post-colorectal surgery.
• Investigating patient and healthcare professional experiences is crucial for implementation.
• Immediate mobilization (30 min post-PACU arrival) feasibility has been established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore patient experiences with immediate post-colorectal surgery mobilization.
• To explore healthcare professional experiences with immediate post-colorectal surgery mobilization.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving 41 patients and 5 healthcare professionals.
• Data collected via individual interviews between October 2017 and June 2019.
• Inductive qualitative content analysis used for data analysis.

Main Results:

• Patients reported challenges (symptoms, fear) and benefits (safety, recovery).
• Healthcare professionals identified benefits but noted resource intensity and initial concerns.
• Key themes: 'The body cannot keep up,' 'Being in good hands,' 'A first step towards recovery,' and 'Balancing gains and challenges.'

Conclusions:

• Immediate mobilization is perceived as beneficial yet challenging by both patients and staff.
• Successful implementation requires skilled staff, resources, adapted facilities, and clear procedures.
• Mobilization efforts must be tailored to individual patient abilities.