Information needs of digestive tract surgery patients before and after surgery: an exploratory study of western Lithuania

Background: Information has a distinct value for operative care from the perspective of both the patient and the professional. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to describe the information needs of patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery in western Lithuania. Material and methods: The data was collected from patients at three Klaipeda city hospitals performing digestive tract surgeries from January through March 2015. The interview responses (n = 86) were analyzed inductively with thematic content analysis. Results: The interviews revealed a lack of information about disease, treatment and nursing care. The participants expressed fear and worries about their forthcoming surgery, anesthesia, pain, methods of pain management, possible complications and their prevention as well as their prognosis. Conclusions: The results show that the participants lacked information about treatment, nursing, anesthesia, rehabilitation, wound care or about post-surgery period. Instead they felt fear and anxiety. The participants were excluded from treatment and nursing processes. According to the participants, their information needs were different before and after the surgery. Lack of information prevents patients from acting self-dependently in their care