Key result
Major emergency abdominal surgery in elderly patients was experienced as a sudden life-threatening incidence leading to emotional overwhelm, intense fatigue, and a strong desire for empathetic care.
Why the study?
Knowledge regarding how elderly patients undergoing major emergency abdominal surgery and their close family members experience the course of illness and post-discharge daily life is limited.
Population
15 elderly patients after major emergency abdominal surgery and 20 close adult family members
Design
Phenomenological study
Follow-up
First month at home after discharge
Authors
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Clinicians should address persistent emotional distress and powerlessness in elderly post-emergency surgery patients; leaves open targeted support strategies for prospective study.
Elderly patients and their families experience major emergency abdominal surgery as a sudden life-threatening event, with intense fatigue and powerlessness persisting one month after discharge.
Petersen et al. (2020) studied Major emergency abdominal surgery (n=35). Major emergency abdominal surgery and recovery was evaluated on Experiences of the course of illness. Major emergency abdominal surgery in elderly patients was experienced as a sudden life-threatening incidence leading to emotional overwhelm, intense fatigue, and a strong desire for empathetic care.
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