Peri-operative Patient Education: What Methods of Patients Education Will Better Prepare Patients for Their Surgical Experience; and Will Better Preparation Result in Increased Patient Satisfaction

Abstract

The current trend of surgeries moving firmly towards outpatient procedures has highlighted new challenges regarding the timing, location and effectiveness of patient teaching. Once considered to be a formal hospital-based initiative, patients are now more likely to learn about the procedure itself in the surgeon's office, the patient's role and expectations (including medications to continue or discontinue, nothing by mouth status and timing, arrival time at the hospital, etc.) on the telephone from Pre-Admission Testing personnel, and post-operative care and follow-up (including teaching) from the Recovery Room and staff at the hospital just prior to discharge. While this process change was inevitable, evidence shows that it isn't working effectively. This paper explores the methods of teaching that might better prepare patients for their outpatient surgery experience. Use of nurse prepared DVDs, internet resources and printed instructions are considered as methods to supplement existing teaching, accomplish effective patient teaching and to increase patient satisfaction.