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PURPOSE: This exploratory study sought to explore the patient experience of the surgical journey from decision to operate, to hospitalization, discharge and subsequent recovery. DESIGN: Patients attended one of two focus group discussions. PATIENT SAMPLE: Seven patients that had undergone surgery for spinal stenosis or disc prolapsed participated, aged between 48-75 years (mean age 59); five were male. METHODS: Patients' attitudes towards the information and care they received from the point of the decision to operate through to post-operative recovery were explored. Particular attention was paid to patients' information needs, support provided, general understanding of the processes and ways in which care could have been improved. RESULTS: Patients identified nine main 'needs' they felt played an integral part in enhancing the patient experience including the need for reduced waiting times, for better information and preparation, to be proactive, to speak up and ask questions, to feel safe and to be treated with dignity and respect; and the need for ongoing support, human contact, and; continuity of care. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that there are several measures that could be taken to improve the patient's surgical experience. In particular, providing appropriate information to patients in a timely manner and ensuring that support and advice is easily accessible for those patients that need it are key areas for improvement.

Original publication

DOI

10.1111/j.1365-2753.2011.01783.x

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Eval Clin Pract

Publication Date

02/2013

Volume

19

Pages

132 - 138

Keywords

Aged, Attitude of Health Personnel, Continuity of Patient Care, Decision Making, Female, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Patient Education as Topic, Patient Safety, Patient Satisfaction, Qualitative Research, Spinal Stenosis, Time Factors