Back to basics: informatienoden van zorgvragers na endeldarmchirurgie

Abstract

Back to basics: information needs of patients after rectal surgery The past decades, there has been increased attention for the ‘educative attitude’ of caregivers. It appears to be quite a challenge to provide good education: many patients need support to understand, evaluate and apply relevant health information. Also, there is no ‘one size fits all’ method. In this qualitative research, the authors investigated what patients experienced as useful or obstructive in the education they were provided with during a complex care path. As a pilot study, they focused on oncological patients who had received rectal surgery. This subpopulation was chosen because of the many education moments and methods they had been confronted with. The authors conducted semi-structured interviews with oncological patients (n = 8) who had undergone (ultra)low anterior resection surgery in the general hospital AZ Delta in Roeselare (Belgium) from February 2020 to May 2022. The interviews focused on their patient information journeys. The information preferences and needs were very diverse. Some respondents wanted very detailed information, while others put faith in the doctor. Nonetheless, these interviews drew attention to the importance of personal relationships with the caregiver(s) and the use of basic education methods: verbal explanations and clarifications through images and the show-me method. Many forms of innovative formats are now available to make sure that patients receive all appropriate information in an accessible manner. While these efforts are crucial and appreciated, this research complements other studies that re-emphasize the importance of some ‘basics’ in communication, as well as the quality of the patient-provider relationship.