Exploring the role of nursing education in improving patient outcomes in colorectal surgery: a retrospective quasi-experimental study

To explore the role of structured nursing education in improving patient outcomes following colorectal cancer surgery, including treatment adherence, negative emotions, quality of life, and nursing satisfaction. This single-center retrospective quasi-experimental study with historical controls included 120 patients who underwent colorectal cancer surgery at The Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between January 2021 and January 2023. Patients were allocated to a control group ( n = 60, receiving conventional nursing care) and an intervention group ( n = 60, receiving a comprehensive, multidisciplinary nursing education intervention in addition to conventional care) according to admission period. Outcome measures included treatment adherence, anxiety and depression (assessed using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale [SAS] and Self-Rating Depression Scale [SDS]), quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30), and nursing satisfaction (Modified Satisfaction Scale [MMSS]). Assessments were conducted at baseline (post-surgery, T1) and 6 months after discharge (T2). Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and linear mixed-effects models (LMM). No significant baseline differences were observed between groups ( P > 0.05). At T2, the intervention group demonstrated significantly higher treatment adherence ( P < 0.05) and nursing satisfaction ( P < 0.05) compared to the control group. The intervention group also showed significantly lower SAS scores (50.47 ± 8.53 vs. 56.35 ± 7.91, P < 0.05) and SDS scores (45.02 ± 9.03 vs. 48.88 ± 9.10, P < 0.05), and significantly higher quality of life scores (79.6 ± 10.2 vs. 64.7 ± 10.5, P < 0.05). LMM results confirmed significant intervention effects for reducing SAS (Estimate=-5.52, P < 0.05), reducing SDS (Estimate=-4.06, P < 0.05), and improving quality of life (Estimate = 15.35, P < 0.05). Structured, multidisciplinary nursing education was associated with improved outcomes in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery, including enhanced adherence, reduced anxiety and depression, improved quality of life, and greater nursing satisfaction. These findings support the integration of systematic nursing education into postoperative care protocols for colorectal cancer patients. Not applicable.