A qualitative exploration of patient perspectives regarding patient education during their colorectal surgical experience.

AIM: The objective of our study was to describe colorectal surgery patients' perspectives on (1) the role of patient education in enhancing their surgical experience; (2) identify specific types of and timing for patient education; and (3) identify the best opportunities to deliver perioperative patient education given patient, provider and system factors.

METHOD: We conducted a qualitative descriptive study at a tertiary acute care institution in Canada of adults (age ≥ 18) with colorectal disease receiving colorectal surgery care from their first consultation until 3 months following admission for a hemicolectomy, a low anterior resection or an abdominal-perineal resection in Toronto, Canada. A semi-structured interview guide was used to guide the discussion. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and then analysed using an inductive thematic analysis and summative content analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty colorectal surgery patients (mean age of 51.4 years and 55% female) completed this study. Colorectal surgery patients described: the need for consistent patient education to address the emotional impact of the colorectal surgery journey (theme 1) during diagnosis and initial surgery consult (time point #1); communication as a critical component of good care (theme 2) during the perioperative period in the hospital (time point #2); and the role of support systems to support the impact of surgery on daily life (theme 3) after transitioning home from the hospital after surgery (time point #3).

CONCLUSION

This study highlights several patient-identified gaps and actionable opportunities related to education for colorectal surgery patients.