Reporting patient experiences within elective perioperative care: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND

Patient experience is an important descriptor of the human experience of healthcare. Specifically, it is described as the sum of all interactions, shaped by an organisation's culture, that influence patient perceptions, across the continuum of care. Currently patient experience is measured with a focus on the hospital experience. By focussing on elective perioperative care, patient experience across the full continuum of care can be explored. A scoping review was designed to map the important components of patient experience, reported from previous studies of patients' perspectives, across the full continuum of care. The aims of this scoping review were to identify 1) key components of patients' experience and 2) strategies where clinicians have influenced this experience.

METHODS

A systematic search of four key databases was performed in 2022 and updated in 2023, to identify primary research articles describing the complete perioperative experience for adults who have had elective surgery. Patient reports were extracted and compared to summarise key components of patient experience across preoperative, in-hospital and postoperative care, and to identify components of patient experience that clinicians could influence.

RESULTS

From 10 included studies, four important patient experience themes have emerged as realistic expectations, accurate information, consistent communication and individualised care. Four foci for clinicians to influence patients' experience include careful monitoring around pain management, psychological recovery, coordination of care and return to function. A matrix of clinicians' points of influence and patient experience is presented to demonstrate how clinicians have influenced important components of patient experience across preoperative, in-hospital and postoperative care.

CONCLUSION

This review summarises patients' reports of their experience across the complete perioperative continuum of care. The multi-dimensional nature of the patient experience is represented in four patient experience themes. Four focus areas in which clinicians can influence patients' experiences across the continuum of care are key to understanding and respecting the human experience in healthcare. This dynamic description of patient experience may focus clinicians' understanding of this complex construct and assist their practical engagement with patients. Further work is needed to ensure these themes are sufficiently relevant and comprehensive for current and future patients. Practical strategies will be important for clinicians to individualise and deliver perioperative care that respects and enhances their patients' experiences.

Informations de copyright

© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of International Society for Quality in Health Care.