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Development of procedure‐specific patient information sheets for acute abdominal surgery and validation in patients undergoing urgent cholecystectomy or appendicectomy

This prospective study was carried out in three related phases. In phase I, the information needs perceived by a cohort of 49 patients undergoing urgent abdominal surgery were assessed postoperatively and areas of perceived deficiency identified. In phase II, information provided by consultant surgeons caring for these patients was assessed. This information was then integrated with material gained from insurance companies and governmental organisations on issues such as return to driving in order to generate procedure‐specific information sheets for appendicectomy and urgent cholecystectomy. In phase III, these information sheets were validated by a separate cohort undergoing these procedures. Key findings from the patients' perspective were, first, there remains an unmet need for basic information about the impact of urgent abdominal surgery on daily activity. Second, there is a striking variation in the information provided by consultant surgeons. Third, procedure‐specific information sheets fulfil an important role in satisfying the patients' information requirements.