Article
Colonoscopy Bowel Preparation Instructions
A pilot study investigated whether the impact of instructions in a group setting improved patient adherence to pre-endoscopy bowel cleaning...
Patients who have just had surgery for colorectal cancer may not be getting enough information at discharge, say researchers from Lund University in Sweden.
The researchers conducted 31 interviews with 16 patients during their first 7 weeks at home after surgery. A theme emerged from the interviews: trying to regain control in life by using information. That had several subthemes, such as needing more information on how to manage symptoms and self-care.
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Patients lacked information on how long recovery would take, how to improve physical fitness, what to eat and drink, how bowel function and weight would be affected, and how to remove the sutures and care for the wound. Some patients were concerned about how to take medications and painkillers, and some received incorrect prescriptions.
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Researchers also found that patients wanted to take part in planning and preparation. Some patients compared the discharge process unfavorably with the preoperative preparation, which they described as being calmer, with easier-to-follow information. Patients also wanted straightforward information given as part of a mutual meeting, which was important in part because they closely observed health care practitioners’ facial expressions and intonation to determine whether anything was being withheld.
Lack of information added to patient worry about treatment and about their future. And having to wait without being told anything worsened worry for some patients. Even things like not having a promised appointment take place on time added to the anxiety and insecurity.
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The researchers acknowledge that not all patients want information, or they want it later in the trajectory of the disease and recovery stages. But when patients do seek information, they may choose untrustworthy sources. The onus is on the health care professionals, the researchers say, to provide person-centered care with easily accessible information for all patients, even those who might wish to avoid it.
Source
Lithner M, Klefsgard R, Johannson J, Andersson E. BMC Nurse. 2015;14:36.
doi: 10.1186/s12912-015-0086-6.
