Perceptions of Experiences of Recovery After Pancreaticoduodenectomy—A Phenomenographic Interview Study

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic surgery in the context of enhanced recovery has mainly been evaluated using clinical variables. However, there is limited knowledge about patients' perceptions of recovery in this context. Hence, the aim of this study was to explore patients' perceptions of recovery after pancreatic surgery within an enhanced recovery program. OBJECTIVE: To explore the variations in patients' perceptions, a qualitatively designed study was undertaken. METHODS: Data in this phenomenographic study consisted of interviews with 19 patients at 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Recovery after pancreatic surgery was classified into 5 categories, based on patients' perceptions: to be as before, affected by symptoms, physical activity, understanding the process, and facilitated by other people. CONCLUSION: The study focused on various areas of recovery, which took place between the in-hospital and after-discharge phases. Physical experiences were found to disturb recovery, in contrast to social and emotional experiences, which facilitated recovery. Variations in perceptions of recovery suggest that care may need to be more individualized, both in the preoperative and the postoperative phase. Working with realistic expectations and early patient education might better prepare patients to continue working on their own recovery after discharge from the hospital. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Major cancer surgery needs to be perceived as a personal journey for the patient, even in enhanced recovery program care. Preoperative education is good, but adding continuous and individually adopted education during recovery is better. Knowledge about both hindering and facilitating factors for recovery is important for the healthcare personal.