Evaluation of a Patient-Centered Perioperative Curriculum: A Pilot Study

Objectives: To evaluate a standardized patient perioperative education curriculum for women undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery. Materials and Methods: We performed a feasibility study to examine the practicality of a group-based, perioperative patient-centered educational curriculum (PPEC). Adult (≥ 18 years) English-speaking women undergoing surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and/or stress urinary incontinence (SUI) at a single center from February 2020 to March 2020 were approached to complete a PPEC session instead of receiving usual perioperative counseling. In-person PPEC sessions were facilitated by one Registered Nurse and attended by 2-4 patients and their support people 2 weeks before surgery. Patients undergoing SUI and POP surgeries were combined in each session. Recruitment was halted prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The content of the PPEC incorporated information about health optimization, details regarding the day of surgery, and instructions for postoperative care including pain, urinary and bowel management. A questionnaire assessing six aspects of patient preparedness was completed prior to (pre) and immediately following (post) course completion. Each question was self-rated on a scale of preparedness from 0 (not at all) to 10 (proficient). The primary outcome was change in self-assessed patient preparedness for pelvic reconstructive surgery. Median and interquartile range of pre- and post-course scores for each question are reported and the Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank test was used to test significance of differences. Results: A total of 16 patients were included in this pilot study. Patient preparedness was significantly improved among all domains for patients who completed the PPEC session. Prior to PPEC, patients self-reported they were most prepared in how to be healthy for surgery. The greatest difference in pre- to post-PPEC preparedness self-reported scores was in what to expect during hospital admission. Conclusion: Our novel approach to perioperative counseling through a standardized educational curriculum offered to mixed groups of patients undergoing SUI and/or POP surgery was associated with significant improvements in patient preparedness for surgery.