The significance of information after discharge for colorectal cancer surgery–a qualitative study

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim was to explore patients’ experiences of information and their information needs after discharge for colorectal cancer surgery.MethodsThirty one interviews were performed with sixteen patients during the first seven weeks at home after discharge. Patients were included from three hospitals in the south of Sweden, two of which used an enhanced recovery programme.ResultsTrying to regain control in life by using information was the overall theme emerging from the interviews. Patients experienced the bodily changes after surgery and the emotional impact of the cancer disease, and these combined experiences seriou/sly affected their ability to manage their daily lives. They both needed, and were in search of, information to increase participation in their own cancer trajectory and to facilitate the regaining of some measure of control in their lives. Waiting for different kinds of information increased the anguish and fear in the face of an unknown future.ConclusionsThis study showed that receiving information was vital when patients tried to regain control in life after colorectal cancer surgery. The information was necessary in order to facilitate and manage the transition from hospital to home, and the need varied between different transitions. Patients needed more information to manage the daily life at home, but also to understand what the cancer disease really meant to them. This suggests a need for patients to participate more actively in the information and the discharge planning.

Information is the key to successful participation for patients receiving surgery for upper gastrointestinal cancer

“…Half of the included patients in this study perceived that they had not been motivated to take responsibility for their health and were not involved in planning for their care after discharge and had a desire to be more involved. This agrees with an earlier study that patients who have had surgery sometimes feel uncertain about how they should manage their everyday lives in their home after discharge (Lithner, Klefsgard, Johansson, & Andersson, ). Patient participation promotes autonomy and patient satisfaction, which are basic conditions for good care (World Health Organization, ) and core elements of person‐centred care (Lindberg et al, ; Morgan & Yoder, ).…”

The lived experience of recovery during the first 6 months after colorectal cancer surgery

“…Experiences of unfamiliar bodily reactions after surgery, along with the emotional impact of the cancer diagnosis, can affect patients’ ability to manage their lives. Lithner, Klefsgard, Johansson, and Andersson () inform that patients expressed a need for information about how to handle both the physical and emotional challenges after being discharged from hospital. Other research confirms that the pattern of recovery, as well as the time needed to reach the state of being fully recovered, depends on the individual (Jakobsson, Idvall, & Wann‐Hansson, ).…”

"I Want to Go Home, but I Need to Stay": The Transition to become Ready for Discharge from Acute Psychiatric Wards, as Narrated by Persons Who Experienced Acute Psychotic Illness

“…Our results are in line with Fenwick's [48] definition of readiness for discharge as a balance between a person's physical, mental and social resources and limitations in support at home. Other nursing researchers have reported similar results in studies investigating readiness for hospital discharge following heart, hip or cancer surgery [49][50][51]. These studies highlight that persons' readiness for discharge relies on feeling safe in terms of the nurses' knowledge and information about the persons' illness, risks and care needs; the need for medical equipment after surgery; and further safe and secure community nursing care.…”