Day surgery patients' convalescence at home: Does enhanced discharge education make a difference?

The day surgery concept has been adopted and used widely. To date, there is limited in‐depth research that has reviewed patients' experiences convalescing from day surgery and the degree to which community, medical, allied health and social assistance is required. In addition, research indicates that day surgery patients' educational preparedness may influence patients' abilities to better self‐manage their postoperative recovery. Using a simple interrupted time series design, this study evaluated and compared the efficacy of the existing generic educational instructions with specially designed procedure‐specific instructions. During data collection within Stage 1 and Stage 2 all subjects were asked to complete the Postoperative Symptoms Diary that contained a specifically developed postoperative Symptom Measurement Scale and Symptom Management Index. These patients were interviewed, via telephone, on the 10th day after discharge. The findings revealed that 91% of patients stated they were satisfied having their operation as a day procedure while the most frequently reported symptoms were pain, tiredness and immobility. In addition, it was found that patients needed carer assistance for an average of 3 days. The enhanced teaching package had no effect on patient recovery and their ability to self‐manage. Thus, it was indicated that patient recovery and ability to self‐manage at home may be related to the patient's own healing abilities and understanding of self‐care.