The Impact of Pre- and Post-operative Education on the Outcomes of Paediatric Surgery Patients in Saudi Arabia

Introduction: The objectives of this study were to assess the level of pre- and post-operative education received by paediatric surgery patients and their caregivers in Saudi Arabia and to examine the association between pre- and post-operative education and post-operative outcomes of paediatric surgery patients. Furthermore, our study aimed to explore the factors influencing the effectiveness of pre- and post-operative education in improving patient outcomes and to propose recommendations for optimising pre- and post-operative education programmes for paediatric surgery patients in Saudi Arabia. Methodology: To achieve the study objectives, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in multiple hospitals in Saudi Arabia on a convenience sample of paediatric surgery patients and their caregivers. The data were collected through structured interviews and questionnaires assessing the level of pre- and post-operative education, patient outcomes and satisfaction. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 28.0. The relationships between variables were explored using linear regression, establishing associations between pre-operative education and post-operative outcomes. Multivariate linear regression examined factors influencing pre-operative education. Results: The study included 1170 participants from various demographic backgrounds in Saudi Arabia. The age distribution of participants was as follows: 18–24 years (18.7%), 25–34 years (8.4%), 35–44 years (29.0%), 45–64 years (36.4%), 65 years (3.7%) and under 18 years (0.9%). The gender distribution was nearly balanced with 45.8% of females and 51.4% of males. The majority of participants held a bachelor’s degree (55.1%). The majority (82.2%) of participants lived in urban areas. This study found a positive association between comprehensive pre- and post-operative education and improved patient outcomes, including reduced post-operative complications and higher satisfaction scores. Pre-operative education played a significant role in alleviating concerns or fears about the surgery (86.9%) and in helping participants understand their child’s recovery process (86.9%). Conclusion: The study findings highlight the effects of pre- and post-operative education outcomes on paediatric surgery patients in Saudi Arabia. The results demonstrated the significance of pre- and post-operative education in reducing parental anxiety and concerns about their child’s surgery, promoting recovery understanding and enhancing patient satisfaction. Improving the quality of care and education is recommended to decrease complication and enhance surgery outcomes.