Assistance for nutrition improves rehabilitation - a follow-up study of patients after colorectal cancer surgery/Hjolp til ernoring fremmer rehabilitering - et follow-up-studie af patienter opereret for colorektal cancer

Nurses play a key role in ensuring that nutritional needs of cancer patients are met and is enabling patients to manage rehabilitation. Most patients with colorectal cancer are malnourished. The objective was to examine how patients' experiences of information, support, and involvement concerning nutrition during hospitalization are associated with rehabilitation. Furthermore, to investigate how patients' experiences of admission--and discharge consultations, as well as having a primary contact person are associated with rehabilitation. Patients who had undergone surgery according to the ICD-10 codes (International Classification of Diseases) with the diagnostic criteria C18-C21 in Denmark were included. Two self-administered questionnaires were sent to the patients' home address. Outcome measures were constructed as reduction in physical, mental and social conditions in order to reveal potentials of improvement in nursing. The experiences of guidance and practical help, as well as the experiences of having a primary contact person (nurse/physician) and admission--and discharge consultations were related to physical, mental and social rehabilitation. Patients' experiences of care were associated with rehabilitation following colorectal surgery. KEYWORDS: Rehabilitation, Patient experiences, Nutrition, Follow-up study, Colorectal Cancer