The patient's experience of day surgery

Jones, Jane (1999) The patient's experience of day surgery. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

This research explored the patient's experience of day surgery, by interviewing women following varicose vein surgery. A greater understanding of the patients 'journey' through day surgery was gained and significant issues affecting their overall views identified. As with any innovative and expanding service, there is always room for further improvement and so the study aimed to provide information for those involved in the provision of day surgery. The unit nurses' views and perceptions of some of the main patient issues were explored in order to better identify priorities for action.

There was an overall satisfaction with the service provided and many patients welcomed the differences between day surgery and a conventional hospital admission. Despite the general patient perception that the operation was 'only day surgery', all the women had felt anxious, particularly about the anaesthetic and home recovery. Most experienced uneventful recoveries following the operation, however, unrealistic expectations of the recovery were evident, with patients often equating day surgery to day recovery. The social and financial pressures of recovering at home were also highlighted, often leading to a lack of support or inadequate recovery. Often post-operative advice was not followed and the importance of the informal carer not fully recognised.

The study underlined many of the difficulties in providing effective, individualised information in the limited time available in day surgery and also the importance of continuity and co-ordination of care through the patient 'journey', particularly prior to admission and support following discharge.

It was apparent that the nursing staff on the day unit were committed to delivering high standards of care and showed understanding of the patients' experiences and needs. However, the patients had not voiced many of their concerns to the staff, often because they had perceived the unit was busy and the staff did not appear to have the time.

This record has no associated files available for download.