Background: Active patient participation in preparation and recovery from colorectal cancer surgery can be facilitated by timely information and care and may improve patient wellbeing and reduce hospitalizations; Methods: We aimed to identify gaps in perioperative information and care by asking colorectal cancer surgical patients to retrospectively report on their perceptions of care via a cross-sectional survey; Results: Overall, 179 (64% consent rate) patients completed one of two 64-item surveys exploring their views of 'optimal care' or their experiences of 'actual care'. In total, 41 (64%) aspects of care were endorsed as optimal. Of these, almost three-quarters (73%) were received by most patients (80% or more). Gaps in care were identified from discrepancies in the endorsement of optimal versus actual survey items. Of the 41 items identified as representing 'optimal care', 11 items were received by fewer than 80% of patients, including the provision of information about the impact of surgical wait-times on cancer cure (69%); pre-habilitation behaviors to improve health (75%); the type of questions to ask the health care team (74%); impact of pain medications on bowel movements (73%); how to obtain medical supplies for self-care at home (67%); dietary or exercise advice after discharge (25-31%); and emotional advice after discharge (44%).
Conclusions: These gaps represent patient-centered priorities and targets for supportive interventions.
Keywords: bowel; cancer; colorectal; health care; patient centered care; patient preferences; preparation for medical procedures; surgery.