The Neurosurgical Spinal Patients Journey: What were the patient expectations and experiences of a neurosurgical spinal service?

Aims: This qualitative study set out to explore the expectations and experiences of neurosurgical spinal patients of a local spinal service. To uncover those aspects of the pathway that were important to them, as locally this was the first time this had been executed.  The study was undertaken as part of the MSc Advanced practice dissertation module at the University of the West of England.

Background: The importance of patient expectations and experiences was catapulted into the forefront of healthcare provision with the publishing of Lord Dazi’s report High Quality Care for All (DH 2009).  The governments vision incorporated the patient as the main driver of any decision making process.

Method: Forty eight neurosurgical spinal patients’ who had been discharged from surgical follow-up were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview.  This method enabled each patient to speak freely about their spinal pathway expectations and experiences.   Of the Forty eight, a total of five patients came forward to volunteer.

Findings:  Themic analysis of the five interview transcripts extracted 3 main areas of importance.   Enabling/ supportive communication, attentive caring and preparing for discharge.  The points were supported in this report by extracts of patient patient’s responses verbatim.

Conclusion: Patients gave a good account of their experiences and highlighted either positive or negative aspects of the journey.  The three main themes echo results from previous patient pathway studies of other specialities, as being important considerations of experiences.  These themes will assist in further redevelopments of an audit tool that serve ti quantify patient experience.   The study motivated a re-evaluation of neurosurgical care practices.   Lead nurses will consider the outcome of the study and support appropriate changes to increase care quality standards, which may ultimately enhance the whole patient experience.