Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2010 Sep;53(9):557-563. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2010.53.9.557.

Investigation on Patients' Understanding and Concern about the Disease and Recovery Rate in Thyroidectomy Patients to Enhance Satisfaction of Hospitalization

• Song CM
• Kim H
• Kwon TK
• Sung MW
• Kim KH
• Hah JH

• KMID: 2277161
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2010.53.9.557

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Diagnosis of thyroid disease requiring surgery and subsequent thyroidectomy may affect patients' emotion and quality of life. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the patients' understanding and concern about the disease and recovery rate after thyroidectomy, and therefore to enhance the satisfaction of hospitalization.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
MethodZZSeventy-seven patients undergoing thyroidectomy in a tertiary hospital from April 2009 to October 2009 were enrolled. Questionnaires were filled out on the admission day, discharge day, and 2 weeks after operation. Questionnaires consisted questions regarding the understanding of the disease, details of concern, recovery rate after surgery, and satisfaction on hospitalization duration. Retrospective chart review was also performed.
RESULTS
Many patients (42.9%) acquired their knowledge of thyroid cancer through the internet. The possibility of voice change was the major concern before surgery (46.8%), whereas the major postoperative concern was adjuvant therapy (37.7%). The patient group with higher understanding of the disease showed higher recovery rate than the others at the time of discharge (mean postdischarge surgical recovery 67.4% vs. 55.3%, p=0.01). The patient group with lower understanding wanted longer hospitalization than the other group at discharge (p<0.001).
CONCLUSION
Patient education about the thyroid disease may reduce patients' anxiety and therefore may enhance subjective recovery rate and satisfaction of hospitalization.

Keyword

Thyroidectomy; Recovery; Satisfaction; Cognition

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Cognition
Hospitalization
Humans
Internet
Patient Education as Topic
Quality of Life
Surveys and Questionnaires
Retrospective Studies
Tertiary Care Centers
Thyroid Diseases
Thyroid Neoplasms
Thyroidectomy
Voice