Exploring quality of life for patients undergoing major surgery: the perspectives of surgeons, other healthcare professionals, and patients.
BACKGROUND
Surgeons, other healthcare professionals, and patients may identify different health-related concerns related to the quality of life of patients undergoing major surgery.


METHODS
Semistructured interviews were conducted with surgeons (n =14), other healthcare professionals (n =19), and patients undergoing major elective surgery (n = 52). Themes were extracted by content analysis and organized into major domains. The frequencies with which specific themes were mentioned were compared among groups.


RESULTS
A total of 85 themes were extracted from the interviews, 15 of which were mentioned by 50% or more of participants in each group, representing 5 of the 6 domains. The greatest differences were observed in the domains of social well-being, wherein 5 themes were mentioned less often by surgeons than other groups, and spiritual well-being, wherein 2 themes were mentioned more often by patients than other groups. Differences in the physical, emotional, cognitive preparation, and concern about quality of care domains were minimal.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgeons, other healthcare professionals, and patients identified many similar concerns related to the well-being of patients undergoing major surgery. However, the importance of social and spiritual themes to patients may be underestimated by surgeons.
Ammerman
Darcy J
DJ
Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada.
Watters
James
J
Clinch
Jennifer J
JJ
Hébert
Paul C
PC
Wilson
Keith G
KG
Morris
Daniel B
DB
Fergusson
Dean
D
D013502:General Surgery; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000523:psychology*