Abstract
Background: Patients have been discharged from hospital one to two days post-surgery since the implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery programs. This study aimed to investigate the perceptions of individuals with a diagnosis of lung cancer on early discharge following a lung resection.
Methods: A qualitative study using Deductive Thematic Analysis was conducted. Nine individuals with a diagnosis of lung cancer who had undergone a lung resection and were discharged one to two days following surgery participated in semi-structured interviews.
Results: Five overarching themes were identified: 1. Motivators for hospital discharge describing patients’ desire to return home, 2. Evolving feelings about early discharge and 3. Coping at home post-surgery reporting heightened feelings of anxiety when faced with self-care and daily activities, 4. The role of family members describing the physical and emotional support required from carers and 5. Long-term recovery explaining the difficulty of re-engaging in activities due to symptoms associated with recovery and co-morbidities.
Conclusions: Early discharge following surgery for lung cancer was acceptable to the majority of patients. However, a follow up phone call maybe necessary to mitigate fears about pain and to encourage activity.
Methods: A qualitative study using Deductive Thematic Analysis was conducted. Nine individuals with a diagnosis of lung cancer who had undergone a lung resection and were discharged one to two days following surgery participated in semi-structured interviews.
Results: Five overarching themes were identified: 1. Motivators for hospital discharge describing patients’ desire to return home, 2. Evolving feelings about early discharge and 3. Coping at home post-surgery reporting heightened feelings of anxiety when faced with self-care and daily activities, 4. The role of family members describing the physical and emotional support required from carers and 5. Long-term recovery explaining the difficulty of re-engaging in activities due to symptoms associated with recovery and co-morbidities.
Conclusions: Early discharge following surgery for lung cancer was acceptable to the majority of patients. However, a follow up phone call maybe necessary to mitigate fears about pain and to encourage activity.
| Original language | English |
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| Journal | Journal of Hospital Management and Health Policy |
| Publication status | Published - 12 Jul 2019 |