TY - JOUR

T1 - Early mobilisation after colorectal surgery

T2 - A qualitative study

AU - Mathiasen, Maria Camilla

AU - Andersen, Rune Martens

AU - Schmidt, Dorte Skaarup

AU - Thomsen, Thordis

N1 - Funding Information: Funding source This research was funded by University Publisher Copyright: © 2021 MA Healthcare Ltd. All rights reserved.

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Background: Postoperative mobilisation after fast-track colorectal surgery is challenging for patients, and knowledge of patients’ needs during this phase is important to improve surgical care. Aim: This study aimed to explore patients’ views on, experiences of and recommendations for early mobilisation after colorectal surgery. Methods: This qualitative study used semi-structured individual interviews with patients in days 1–5 after colorectal surgery, and the data underwent content analysis. Findings: The 11 participants experienced dizziness and exhaustion impeding early mobilisation, and participants emphasised the importance of nurses for motivating mobilisation, as well as that they found the lack of space for exercising to be distressing. Companionship with other patients induced participants to get out of bed and help other patients mobilise. Finally, participants recounted their experiences of the usefulness of walking aids and of which activities were possible during hospitalisation. Conclusions: Nurses were key motivators for early mobilisation and need to be aware of this. Patients requested relevant exercises and space for exercising to facilitate postoperative recovery.

AB - Background: Postoperative mobilisation after fast-track colorectal surgery is challenging for patients, and knowledge of patients’ needs during this phase is important to improve surgical care. Aim: This study aimed to explore patients’ views on, experiences of and recommendations for early mobilisation after colorectal surgery. Methods: This qualitative study used semi-structured individual interviews with patients in days 1–5 after colorectal surgery, and the data underwent content analysis. Findings: The 11 participants experienced dizziness and exhaustion impeding early mobilisation, and participants emphasised the importance of nurses for motivating mobilisation, as well as that they found the lack of space for exercising to be distressing. Companionship with other patients induced participants to get out of bed and help other patients mobilise. Finally, participants recounted their experiences of the usefulness of walking aids and of which activities were possible during hospitalisation. Conclusions: Nurses were key motivators for early mobilisation and need to be aware of this. Patients requested relevant exercises and space for exercising to facilitate postoperative recovery.

U2 - 10.12968/gasn.2021.19.3.30

DO - 10.12968/gasn.2021.19.3.30

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:85104348582

VL - 19

SP - 30

EP - 36

JO - Gastrointestinal Nursing

JF - Gastrointestinal Nursing

SN - 1479-5248

IS - 3

ER -