Informal out-patient discussions with patients following surgery for large bowel cancer: are they beneficial?

The value of informal out-patient discussions as a useful, additional method of assessment for both patient and doctor during a busy out-patient clinic is considered. One hundred patients were interviewed by a research or stoma care sister at their first follow-up visit after surgery for large bowel cancer in the combined Oncology/Surgical out-patient clinic of a district general hospital. Particular interest was taken of patients' awareness of diagnosis (85% understood) and operation (93% understood), general well-being (74% had resumed limited activity), dependency on the primary health care team (13%), family history of bowel or associated cancers (as many as 31% had one or more first degree relatives affected) and the suitability for research trials, including adjuvant radiotherapy/chemotherapy (29% were entered). Patients appreciated the opportunity to discuss problems at a particularly stressful period of their lives. It would seem that when problems are identified and an overall assessment of patients' needs made, relevant information is provided for doctors which is influential in improving patient care.