Patient education in relation to informational needs and postoperative complications in surgical patients

• Published in: International journal for quality in health care 2020-04, Vol.32 (1), p.35-40
• Main Authors: Koivisto, Jaana-Maija, Saarinen, Ira, Kaipia, Antti, Puukka, Pauli, Kivinen, Katri, Laine, Kirsi-Marja, Haavisto, Elina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Female; Finland; General Surgery; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Orthopedic Procedures - psychology; Patient Education as Topic - statistics & numerical data; Postoperative Complications - epidemiology; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 1353-4505; 1464-3677
• DOI: 10.1093/intqhc/mzz032

Abstract Objective To study surgical patients’ informational expectations and the level of received knowledge at the time of hospital discharge. To examine if there is an association with postoperative complications and the patient´s level of received knowledge. Design Comparative descriptive design. Setting The data on patients admitted for non-cardiac surgery were collected in three phases during an eight-month period. Participants 258 in-ward non-cardiac general surgery and orthopedic surgery adult patients. Interventions Questionnaires before admission (knowledge expectations) and at discharge (received knowledge). A telephone interview 30 days after discharge. Main Outcome Measures Received knowledge (as much or more / less) compared to expectations, and its association with post-discharge complications. Results There were differences between patient groups in their perception of receiving enough knowledge and they were connected to gender (male vs. female OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.55–4.60, P = 0.0004) and procedure (elective orthopedic implant surgery vs. elective minor orthopedic and hand surgery: OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.72–6.17, P = 0.0003). Patients who received less knowledge than expected had more postoperative complications than those who received sufficient (as much or more than expected) information. Conclusions Patients differ in terms of informational needs, and preoperative education prepares the patient for the information provided postoperatively. Patient education may have an influence on recovery from surgery.