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Expect Less and Get More after Back Surgery

What comes to mind when asked if you are satisfied with your health care after a back problem? Returning to work? Becoming pain free? Being able to return to all your usual activities?

Doctors and hospitals are asking patients to rate their satisfaction with the care provided. This can be measured by asking patients what they expected before treatment and comparing this to their responses after treatment.

Patient satisfaction is important because it is directly linked to cooperation and participation in treatment. For example, incorrect expectations about back surgery can cause problems after surgery. Most patients expect to feel no pain and to go back to their usual activities. The actual results can sometimes feel disappointing.

Expectations that are out of reach before back surgery lead to lower levels of satisfaction after surgery. Even so, patients at a large spine clinic reported they had made the right decision to have the surgery. Researchers suggest that patient satisfaction can be improved if patients are taught to set goals that can be reached. This can be done before surgery with classes and information booklets.

References: Alison H. McGregor, PhD, and Sean P. F. Hughes, MS, FRCS. The Evaluation of the Surgical Management of Nerve Root Compression in Patients with Low Back Pain. Part 2: Patient Expectations and Satisfaction. In Spine. July 1, 2002. Vol. 27. No. 13. Pp. 1471-1477.

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