Patient Satisfaction with Postoperative Follow-up by a Hand Therapist

Purpose There has been a move to reduce and, indeed, stop postoperative appointments for uncomplicated surgical procedures within the National Health Service. The purpose of this study was to measure patient satisfaction with postoperative follow‐up conducted by a hand therapist, with no routine postoperative follow‐up by the surgeon. Methods A total of 124 patients were recruited over two years. Fifty patients post‐simple trapeziectomy and 74 patients post‐single‐digit Dupuytren's fasciectomy were prospectively surveyed for their opinion on their postoperative care and whether or not they would have liked to be reviewed by the surgeon in a routine postoperative follow‐up appointment. All patients included in this study had their operations performed by one surgeon in one hospital. All patients were reviewed by a hand therapist within two weeks of surgery. Results A total of 116 patients completed the study, of whom 106 patients (91%) were satisfied with their postoperative management and 99 patients (85%) did not want to be reviewed by the surgeon in a postoperative outpatient follow‐up appointment. Discussion This study reflects the successful application of postoperative follow‐up by a hand therapist. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.