Patient Education Methods Among Patients Undergoing Day Surgery : Descriptive Literature Review

Development of minimally invasive surgery techniques and technology, use of regional anesthesia and short-acting anesthesia medications, financial considerations and patient preference lead to a fast rise in the number and complexities of surgical procedures performed in a day surgery setting. Successful surgery is not only defined by the operating room procedure but by the process that ensures the patient's optimal recovery. This can be achieved through effective and clear patient education. Patient education improves patients’ knowledge, empowers patients to actively participate in their own health care, optimizes recovery time, shortens hospital stay, minimizes chances for readmission, improves patient satisfaction, and reduces anxiety and risk of complications after surgery. The purpose of this thesis was to describe different patient education methods applicable among patients undergoing day surgery. The aim is to use the knowledge received in developing patient education in day surgery settings. The study question is: what patient education methods are used among patients undergoing day surgery? The literature review included nine articles. CINAHL and MEDLINE databases were used to collect the data. The data was categorized and analyzed using a thematic approach and the results were displayed in a form of a literature review. The results were classified into methods of education which included: web-based, face-to-face (inter-view, teach-back, Q & A session) and telephone follow-up, and the purposes for which these methods were used. The results show that any patient education method should not be considered as a “one-fits-all” process. The results lead to a conclusion that it is important to consider patient´s socio-economical, physical, emotional, and cultural backgrounds, learning needs and style, capacity to learn and to contain received knowledge, desired learning outcomes, educational environment, and, lastly, cost-effectiveness, when conducting patient education in a day surgery setting