Experiences of Patients Undergoing Bowel Preparation and Colonoscopy- A Qualitative Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Background: Colonoscopy remains the reference standard for diagnosing and monitoring colorectal cancer and is also used for both diagnosis and surveillance of inflammatory bowel disease and it. Previous studies have shown that the preparation procedure was unpleasant for the patients, and they felt anxious about it alongside the anxiety related to the colonoscopy and the results. However, there is a limited knowledge of the patients’ needs when undergoing colonoscopy and the challenges within. The purpose of the study was to explore experiences of undergoing bowel preparation and colonoscopy.Methods: The study was designed as a qualitative longitudinal interview study with an inductive research approach. Twenty-five face to face interviews and twenty-one follow up interviews were conducted based on a semi structured interview guide. The interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, and results reported according to COREQ guidelines.Results: Based on the findings, three categories emerged: To weigh up participation, A greater challenge than expected, and Not so challenging after all. Throughout these categories the experience of uncertainty was reported.Conclusions: The process of undergoing bowel preparation and colonoscopy was complex and influenced by uncertainty due to insufficient information. There is a need to strengthen the patient-centered care by adjusting the information to patient’s needs. It is necessary to tailor the written information to meet patients’ needs to better support them in decision-making for participation, to better prepare them for the bowel preparation and to better prepare them for the procedure. In addition, it is vital that patients are provided with results of the colonoscopy that correspond to the timeframe specified in written the information.

Quality indicators of colonoscopy care: a qualitative study from the perspectives of colonoscopy participants and nurses

“…Nevertheless, the measurement scales for assessing nurses' practice activities are quite limited. Additionally, with the advancement of patient-centered care (PCN), there is a need to increase patient participation in decision-making [13]. Based on this, in order to investigate the colonoscopy experience of patients, the production of the Global Rating Scale (GRS) for endoscopy was introduced in Scotland [14].…”