Effectiveness of preoperative group education for patients with colorectal cancer: managing expectations.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the potential beneficial effect of preoperative face-to-face group education after colonic surgery in a pre-existing ERAS pathway environment.

METHODS

Patients were randomized to cohorts for 3 weeks to either the standard preoperative counseling by the colorectal surgeon and the nurse practitioner (control group) or to the additional group education (intervention group). Patients scored EORTC-QLQ-info25 after the preoperative information was completed and the EORTC-QLQ-30 and EORTC-QLQ-29 prior to surgery and 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS

A significantly better level of information was scored considering the expectations and patient involvement in the intervention group. This coincided with a significant reduction of the in-hospital stay, enhanced return to the preoperative global health status, and persistent improved body image after surgery.

CONCLUSION

By investing in the preoperative group education patients develop more realistic expectations resulting in a perceived improved quality of life and body image 1 month after operation coinciding with a statistically significant reduction in duration of in-hospital stay in this study.