A qualitative exploration of perioperative subjective experiences of colorectal cancer patients undergoing fast-track surgery

Colorectal cancer significantly impacts patient quality of life and burdens healthcare systems globally. Fast-track surgery (FTS) aims to alleviate some of these impacts by expediting recovery and reduce the physiological stress associated with traditional surgical approaches. Despite the clinical efficiency of FTS, there exists a gap in the literature concerning patients' subjective experiences during the perioperative period. This study seeks to fill that gap by qualitatively exploring the perioperative experiences of patients undergoing FTS for colorectal cancer, focusing on their emotional, psychological, and informational journeys. We purposively sampled 12 colorectal cancer patients. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis to uncover the emotional and psychological nuances of the patients' experiences. Findings revealed that patients often felt under-informed and overwhelmed, impacting their psychological preparedness and satisfaction with the surgery. Despite FTS' clinical benefits, patients reported mixed emotions post-surgery, including relief and ongoing anxiety about cancer recurrence. Our findings highlight the need for enhanced patient-centered care practices, suggesting that healthcare providers should integrate more effective preoperative education and support systems to better align clinical efficiency with patient satisfaction.