Defining quality of recovery-What Is Important to Patients?

Publication date: Available online 6 August 2018Source: Best Practice & Research Clinical AnaesthesiologyAuthor(s): Jaume Borrell-Vega, Clinical Research, Michelle L. Humeidan, Sergio D. BergeseAbstractPostoperative recovery is a complex process with several interrelated domains. Traditionally, the absence of negative physiologic symptoms like nausea and pain, along with avoidance of major post-operative complications, has been the bar set by clinicians and hospitals for a satisfactory postoperative recovery. Nonetheless, evidence from recent studies report these items to be the least important from the patient point of view. Effective communication, active involvement of the patient in their healthcare decisions and empathy from healthcare providers are rated by patients as significant factors for their quality of recovery. Though challenging to study, development of a multimodal, patient-centered approach to evaluating the post-surgical period is critical for a truly comprehensive assessment of recovery quality. This review provides an overview of our current understanding of how patient factors like satisfaction can be impacted by the Anesthesia Care Team, and how overall quality of recovery is related to perioperative patient experiences.
Source: Best Practice and Research Clinical Anaesthesiology - Category: Anesthesiology Source Type: research