For people of all ages, the mere thought of surgery can spur anxious thoughts and concerns: How long will the surgery take? What will my recovery look like? How risky is the procedure?
Worries and questions about surgery are especially common for patients 65 years and older, who account for more than 40% of all in-patient operations and can be at risk for increased complications as a result of other co-existing medical conditions.
Preparing for surgery can be an overwhelming experience. Asking the right questions before surgery can foster open communication between the patient and the care team, make preparing for an operation less daunting, and lead to better outcomes.
To help older patients navigate the complexities of preparing for surgery, the American College of Surgeons (ACS), through the Geriatric Surgery Verification (GSV) Program, created a patient checklist for older surgical patients, families and caregivers. The checklist equips patients with practical tips. This can help patients and their families ask the right questions at the right time to help ensure they receive high-quality surgical care.
Encouraging open communication
Open communication between the patient and the care team is paramount to any successful surgery. Outline several questions to foster honest discussions with your care team, including a section to list any special considerations such as cognition (thinking) and delirium (confusion) risk, and a section to list all your current medications and allergies in one place to help facilitate a smoother office visit.
Putting your care goals front and center
Your goals and quality of life are as important as many other details related to your surgery. Be sure to capture thoughts about your overall health, treatment goals and how surgery might affect your daily life. Often referred to as patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures, this information is important for detailing what matters to you most. Having discussions about your priorities in advance can help your surgical team develop a specific care plan that relies on the best possible research and aligns with your personal goals.
Helping you keep track of your questions
In the days and weeks before surgery, it can be difficult to think of all the questions you want to ask your surgeon and care team beforehand. Create a list of several suggested questions to ask your care team. Have effective conversations with your care team to help you and your caregivers fully understand all aspects of the operation and your recovery.
By: Brandpoint (Edited by d-mars.com)
