The emotional toll of day-of-surgery cancellations on patients - a qualitative study using participant observation and interviews.

Abstract

Objectives: To explore patients' experiences of day-of-surgery cancellation and the initial days of the extended waiting period.

Methods: A qualitative explorative design inspired by Ricoeur's phenomenological-hermeneutic approach was used. Participant observation of day-of-surgery cancellations and semi-structured follow-up interviews with patients were conducted. Transcribed data were analysed using a Ricoeur-inspired analysis.

Results: Five themes emerged from the analysis and interpretation, including "an unexpected and shocking message-triggering reactions ranging from crying to unclear thinking", "shattered mental strength-an emotional rollercoaster marked by exhaustion and concerns", "a fragile situation-the need for early, informative and caring management of surgery cancellation", "prolonged waiting-feeling stuck and mentally distressed, caught in limbo with one's disease" and "known and unknown consequences-a butterfly effect".

Conclusions: Surgery cancellation could be explained as a "butterfly effect" causing known and unknown consequences triggered by the initial shock. Various emotional reactions followed the event and patients' mental strength was shattered. Provision of empathic care and information during cancellation notification was essential. The prolonged waiting period subjected patients to a sense of being stuck in limbo, unable to move forward with their lives. Multiple new practical preparations had to be made, and trust in the healthcare sector might be compromised.