Patients information needs about surgery

Patients with gastro-intestinal cancers that are engaged in active treatment are most concerned with information about their medical illness and management plan as well as how the illness will affect them physically. (1) Presurgical education classes reduce for patients undergoing RALP help reduce patient anxiety and manage expectations regarding the surgical procedure and sub- sequent outcome. (2) The information is very important to patients for choosing a hospital. Differences among patients as to what factors are important when choosing a hospital provider and what information and support they access suggest there needs to be a variety of information sources and support available to promote choice. Greater shared decision making through active involvement and support by GPs or booking advisors may be required if they are to make choices in line with their preferences