Winter cancellations of elective surgical procedures in the UK: a questionnaire survey of patients on the economic and psychological impact.
dc.contributor.author | Herrod, Philip | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2019-10-16T11:18:16Z | |
dc.date.available | 2019-10-16T11:18:16Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2019-09 | |
dc.identifier.citation | BMJ Open. 2019 Sep 13;9(9):e028753. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028753. | en |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12904/1304 | |
dc.description.abstract | OBJECTIVES: To quantify the economic and psychological impact of the cancellation of operations due to winter pressures on patients, their families and the economy. DESIGN: This questionnaire study was designed with the help of patient groups. Data were collected on the economic and financial burden of cancellations. Emotions were also quantified on a 5-point Likert scale. SETTING: Five NHS Hospital Trusts in the East Midlands region of England. PARTICIPANTS: We identified 796 participants who had their elective operations cancelled between 1 November 2017 and 31 March 2018 and received responses from 339 (43%) participants. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were posted a modified version of a validated quality of life questionnaire with a prepaid return envelope. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measures were the financial and psychological impact of the cancellation of elective surgery on patients and their families. RESULTS: Of the 339 respondents, 163 (48%) were aged <65 years, with 111 (68%) being in employment. Sixty-six (19%) participants had their operations cancelled on the day. Only 69 (62%) of working adults were able to return to work during the time scheduled for their operation, with a mean loss of 5 working days (SD 10). Additional working days were lost subsequently by 60 (54%) participants (mean 7 days (SD 10)). Family members of 111 (33%) participants required additional time off work (mean 5 days (SD 7)). Over 30% of participants reported extreme levels of sadness, disappointment, anger, frustration and stress. At least moderate concern about continued symptoms was reported by 234 (70%) participants, and 193 (59%) participants reported at least moderate concern about their deteriorating condition. CONCLUSIONS: The cancellation of elective surgery during the winter had an adverse impact on patients and the economy, including days of work lost and health-related anxiety. We recommend better planning, and provision of more notice and better support to patients. | en |
dc.language.iso | en | en |
dc.subject | National Health Service | en |
dc.subject | Economic Impact | en |
dc.subject | Elective Operations | en |
dc.subject | Psychosocial Impact | en |
dc.subject | Winter Cancellations | en |
dc.title | Winter cancellations of elective surgical procedures in the UK: a questionnaire survey of patients on the economic and psychological impact. | en |
dc.type | Article | en |
refterms.dateFOA | 2021-06-03T10:40:09Z |