The Cancelling of Elective Surgical Operations Causes Emotional Trauma and a Lack of Confidence: Study from a Urological Department

Abstract

Objectives

Cancellation of elective surgical procedures is inconvenient and stressful on patients, causing loss of working days and disruption of daily life. Furthermore, it causes significant emotional trauma to the patients and their families. The purpose of this study was to analyze the number of elective surgery cancellations, as well as to identify and compare potential emotional trauma and satisfaction between older (≥65 years) and younger (<65 years) patients.

Methods

157 patients whose surgeries were scheduled and then cancelled were divided in two groups: Group A (62 younger patients, age <65) and Group B (95 older patients, age ≥65). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess depression and anxiety. Patient satisfaction was collected from the Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey (HCAHPS).

Results

All groups with higher HADS score demonstrated markedly reduced satisfaction scores (with a mean score of 38%, p<0.001). In fact, patient satisfaction scores varied widely across the surveyed groups. Patient overall satisfaction scores after surgery ranged from 39% to 82%, with a mean of 68.5%, and from 28% to 73%, with a mean of 47.3% in Group A and B, respectively. These results point out a significantly lower satisfaction in elderly patients with depression (p<0.001) and with anxiety than in younger patients (p<0.002).

Conclusions

The study goal was to point out the importance of satisfying patients’ expectations to offer a better assistance, in order to ensure a comforting and friendly experience, especially when the patients are weak and not young anymore.