Psychological Preparation for Colorectal Surgery: Impact of Video Education

Since the introduction and favourable early results of enhanced recovery programmes more than a decade ago, such programmes have become increasingly popular following major surgery. Many elements of these programmes are based on solid evidence and derived from published trials. These programmes optimize different factors to reduce the stress of surgery with the aim of improving patient outcome and speed up recovery after surgery. Key factors prior to surgery are conditioning of expectations and optimizing associated disease. Strategies during the operation include use of short-acting anaesthetic (sleeping) agents, maintenance of normal temperatures and minimal access surgery (keyhole surgery).

Care after surgery is optimized with appropriate analgesia (pain killers), early mobilisation (walking) and early feeding. This combined approach reduces hospital stay to 2-4 days. There is also evidence that the improvements resulting from the implementation of an enhanced recovery programme do not cause significant deterioration in quality of life or transfer costs to another component of health care.

The relative contribution of each of the single elements in the enhanced recovery programme remains uncertain. Good patient information gives confidence and improves overall outcome. No studies have examined the impact of video education on recovery.

The aim of this study is to explore the use of video information provision for patients participating in an enhanced recovery programme.