Preferences for Preoperative Education: A Qualitative Study of the Patient Perspective

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study is to identify and describe the information that is important to patients in preparation for surgery for pelvic floor disorders. Methods This qualitative study enrolled English- and Spanish-speaking patients who had undergone surgery for pelvic floor disorders in semistructured focus groups. We explored patients' attitudes and views regarding preoperative education, postoperative experiences, and quality of pain management. Focus groups were conducted until thematic saturation was reached. Deidentified focus group transcripts were analyzed with line-by-line coding and organized into themes using a team-based process. Results Four focus groups were conducted, 2 with English-speaking women (n = 14) and 2 with Spanish-speaking women (n = 10). Participants identified as non-Hispanic White 13/24 (54%) or Hispanic 11/24 (46%); 83% had at least a high school education and 50% had a bachelor's degree. Women reported 5 thematic domains of information that they deemed important for patients to know preoperatively: (1) preparation for surgery; (2) postoperative pain control expectations; (3) postoperative activity restrictions; (4) communication with care team; and (5) care experiences. Conclusions This study identifies information that is important to patients undergoing pelvic floor surgery. These patient-centered themes go beyond routine preoperative education and counseling. This information will aid future studies regarding the incorporation of patient-centered preoperative education and expectation setting with respect to improved pain control, patient satisfaction, and overall surgical experience.

Educating Women About Pelvic Floor Disorders During Pregnancy From the First to the “Fourth Trimester”: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…Other studies have addressed the patient's perspective when it comes to creating educational content, but more investigation is needed in this area to continue to improve how we approach our patients with medical information. 15 Pregnancy is an opportune moment to inform a woman about PFDs. Prenatal care visits are a busy time for patients and obstetricians with many important health topics to cover in a limited time frame.…”

“…This study has taken a step toward obtaining the patient's perspective on educational materials so that they can continue to be improved. Other studies have addressed the patient's perspective when it comes to creating educational content, but more investigation is needed in this area to continue to improve how we approach our patients with medical information 15 …”

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the preoperative assessment of readiness tool among surgical patients

“…The variation in preoperative readiness may be related to the severity of the disease. Some patients with malignant cancer who will undergo a major surgery may have more concern and a lower level of preoperative readiness while some patients prior to a minor surgery are more likely to have a higher level of preoperative readiness ( Rockefeller et al, 2021 ). Therefore, additional attention should be paid to the patients with lower preoperative readiness to explore the reasons for their poor readiness and give a detailed guide to improve their preoperative readiness.…”