Pre- and post-operative counselling and information dissemination: perceptions of patients undergoing laryngeal surgery and their spouses

Abstract

A questionnaire was sent to 380 members of the Laryngectomy Association of Queensland and their spouses to examine the nature of the information given and professionals involved in pre- and post-operative counselling and information dissemination. From a total of 137 responses, the questionnaires of 41 spouses/carers and 77 patients who underwent surgical removal of the larynx in public hospitals between 1990 and 2000 were analysed. The results indicated that over 80% of surgical patients reported satisfaction with the nature and extent of information provided pre and post-operatively. Respondents indicated receiving information from a multidisciplinary team, encompassing a diversity of topics relating to the surgical procedure and subsequent consequences. Only 16% of respondents felt they were not told enough information pre-operatively and 12% felt there were inadequate services provided post-operatively. Approximately 80% of spouses/carers reported satisfaction with pre- and post-operative counselling; however, only 57.5% of spouses/carers felt they were given enough information prior to surgery or received enough post-surgical support (55.3%). More discussion of associated consequences following surgery and an increase in contact with certain professionals/support staff were identified as areas for further improvement by a proportion of surgical respondents. The results of the present study highlight some aspects of information dissemination practices that can be further optimized for the population of patients undergoing laryngeal surgery. In particular, the need for increased support and counselling for their spouses/carers is indicated.