Winter cancellations of elective surgical procedures in the United Kingdom: A questionnaire survey of patients on the economic and psychological impact

Herrod, Philip; Adimah, Alfred; Boyd-Carson, Hannah; Daliya, Prita; El-Sharkawy, Ahmed; Sarmah, Panchali; Hossain, Tanvir; Couch, Jennifer; Sian, Tanvir; Wragg, Andrew; Andrew, David; Parsons, Simon; Lobo, Dileep

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

Citation

Herrod, P., Adimah, A., Boyd-Carson, H., Daliya, P., El-Sharkawy, A., Sarmah, P., …Lobo, D. (2019). Winter cancellations of elective surgical procedures in the United Kingdom: A questionnaire survey of patients on the economic and psychological impact. BMJ Open, 9, Article e028753. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028753

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 19, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Sep 13, 2019
• Publication Date: Sep 13, 2019
• Deposit Date: Aug 20, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 14, 2020
• Journal: BMJ Open
• Electronic ISSN: 2044-6055
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 9
• Article Number: e028753
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028753
• Keywords: General Medicine
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2450623
• Publisher URL: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/9/e028753