Our Summary

The researchers wanted to know how patients felt about having their surgery rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus was on understanding patients’ reactions to the postponement of their surgery, their surgical experience during the pandemic, and how delays affected their mental and physical health. They also wanted to find out what could have been done better. To do this, they interviewed patients whose surgeries were postponed. The interviews were recorded, written down, and analyzed.

The patients’ thoughts were grouped into four main areas: their reactions to the postponement or rescheduling of their surgery, their experience of surgery during the pandemic, their thoughts on how they were communicated with, and their trust in their surgeons and the healthcare system.

The researchers found that patients did not report any problems with rescheduling their surgery. However, they identified that communication could be improved. A surprising finding was that patients expressed a strong sense of trust in their surgeons and the hospital.

FAQs

  1. What were the common patient reactions to surgery postponement and rescheduling due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
  2. How did the postponement of elective operations affect the emotional and physical health of patients?
  3. What improvements were suggested by patients to enhance surgical care during pandemics like COVID-19?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about colorectal surgery is to follow all preoperative instructions carefully, including any dietary restrictions or bowel preparation. This can help ensure a successful surgery and faster recovery process. Additionally, it is important to communicate openly with your healthcare team about any concerns or questions you may have before and after the surgery.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended colorectal surgery include those with conditions such as colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, and colorectal polyps. These patients may be experiencing symptoms such as rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss that warrant further evaluation and potential surgical intervention. The decision to recommend colorectal surgery is made based on the individual patient’s specific condition, overall health status, and potential benefits of surgical treatment.

Timeline

Before colorectal surgery:

  • Patient is diagnosed with a condition that requires surgery
  • Patient consults with a surgeon to discuss treatment options
  • Surgery is scheduled and patient prepares for the procedure
  • Patient may undergo pre-operative testing and preparation
  • Surgery is postponed due to the CoVID-19 pandemic

After colorectal surgery:

  • Patient experiences surgery postponement and rescheduling
  • Patient undergoes surgery during the CoVID-19 pandemic
  • Patient reflects on the communication received from healthcare providers
  • Patient assesses the impact of surgery postponement on emotional and physical health
  • Patient develops trust in surgeons and the healthcare system

Overall, patient perspectives on surgery postponement and rescheduling during the CoVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of effective communication and trust in healthcare providers.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. Why was my surgery postponed and when can it be rescheduled?
  2. What are the risks of delaying my surgery?
  3. How will the hospital ensure my safety during the surgery in light of the COVID-19 pandemic?
  4. What precautions will be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during and after the surgery?
  5. How will my recovery be affected by the postponement of the surgery?
  6. What support services are available to me during this time?
  7. Will there be any changes to my treatment plan as a result of the postponement?
  8. How will the hospital ensure proper communication with me throughout this process?
  9. How can I trust that the hospital and surgeons are taking the necessary precautions to keep me safe during the surgery?
  10. Are there any alternative treatment options I should consider given the current circumstances?

Reference

Authors: Rivard SJ, Vitous CA, Cocroft S, Varlamos C, Duby A, Suwanabol PA, Regenbogen SE, Maguire LH, Kwakye G. Journal: Am J Surg. 2021 Oct;222(4):759-765. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2021.03.001. Epub 2021 Mar 18. PMID: 33812662