The patient perspective on the preoperative colorectal cancer care pathway and preparedness for surgery and postoperative recovery—a qualitative interview study

Abstract

Background and Objectives This study aimed to explore colorectal cancer (CRC) patients' perspectives and experiences regarding the preoperative surgical care pathway and their subsequent preparedness for surgery and postoperative recovery. Methods CRC patients were recruited using purposive sampling and were interviewed three times (preoperatively, and 6 weeks and 3 months postoperatively) using semistructured telephone interviews. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and analysed independently by two researchers using thematic analysis with open coding. Results Data saturation was achieved after including 18 patients. Preoperative factors that contributed to a feeling of preparedness for surgery and recovery were patient‐centred‐ and professional healthcare organization, sincere and personal guidance, and thorough information provision. Postoperatively, patients with complications or physical complaints experienced unmet information needs regarding the impact of complications and what to expect from postoperative recovery. Conclusions The preoperative period is a vital period to prepare patients for surgery and recovery in which patients most value personalized information, personal guidance and professionalism. According to CRC patients, the feeling of preparedness for surgery and recovery can be improved by continually providing dosed information. This information should provide the patient with patient‐tailored perspectives regarding the impact of (potential) complications and what to expect during recovery.

Patient experiences of left-sided colorectal resection by robotic, conventional laparoscopic and open approaches: a qualitative study

“…Pain, wound infections and ileus were emphasised. Our findings are reinforced by Cuijpers [14] et al's qualitative study which also identified lack of preparedness for postoperative complications including ileus, as significant factors affecting colorectal patients' experience of recovery. Postoperative ileus, characterised by delayed gastro-intestinal recovery after surgery, affects 12% of elective colon resection patients [28].…”

“…Qualitative methodology has been used to investigate experiences of colorectal surgery, providing insight into patients' subjective experience of surgical care [13][14][15] but has been less widely used in the context of robotic colorectal surgery [16]. We used thematic analysis of semi-structured patient interviews to investigate perceptions of RS, OS and CLS among patients; and to determine salient factors affecting patients' perioperative experience.…”