Patient Experiences of Perioperative Care in Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Qualitative Study

AIM: To explore and describe patients' experiences throughout the perioperative pathway of lumbar spine surgery. DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive study. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive design was adopted. Participants were recruited among patients who had undergone lumbar spine surgery and were attending routine postoperative follow-up visits approximately 1 month after surgery in an orthopaedic outpatient clinic. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted in a private room. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis supported by MAXQDA software. Codes were iteratively compared and grouped into subcategories and broader categories capturing key dimensions of the perioperative experience. RESULTS: Twenty patients participated. Analysis generated 123 codes organised into 18 subcategories and four main categories: (1) the preoperative experience: pain, disability and emotional responses; (2) trust in healthcare professionals; (3) immediate postoperative relief and early recovery challenges; and (4) looking back: timing, recurrence and future concerns. CONCLUSION: The perioperative pathway of lumbar spine surgery represents a complex experience influenced by emotional, relational and physical factors. Trust in healthcare professionals and effective communication strongly impact perceptions of care. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Understanding patients' experiences may support nurses in delivering individualised perioperative care through improved communication, patient education and emotional support across the surgical pathway. PROBLEM: Limited evidence explores patients' perspectives throughout the perioperative pathway. FINDINGS: Patients' experiences evolve across the surgical trajectory and are strongly influenced by communication, trust in the care team and early recovery challenges. IMPACT: Findings may inform nursing practice and perioperative care planning aimed at improving care for patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery. REPORTING METHOD: The study adhered to COREQ guidelines. PATIENT CONTRIBUTION: Patients contributed to the study as interview participants. They were not involved in the design, conduct, analysis or dissemination of the research.