Surgery School

Patient education prior to surgery is an established part of the preoperative pathway. It is widely accepted that those patients who are well prepared, both physically and mentally, prior to surgery, are less anxious about undergoing surgery.

Although peer reviewed evidence is still scarce, studies are starting to show that patients partaking in a formal prehabilitation programme in a group setting, may have a positive impact on length of stay, patient anxiety and postoperative pain scores.

‘Surgery Schools’ are a growing phenomenon in the NHS and leading institutions in Southampton and Manchester are introducing ‘Fit-4-Surgery Schools’ with the aim of optimising patients prior to surgery.

Prehabilitation focus.

You might want to take a minute to read this article by Fecher-Jones et al. which introduces the ‘Fit-4-Surgery School’ and what is involved.