RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Patients’ perspectives of prehabilitation as an extension of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols JF Canadian Journal of Surgery JO CAN J SURG FD Canadian Medical Association SP E578 OP E587 DO 10.1503/cjs.014420 VO 64 IS 6 A1 Chelsia Gillis A1 Marlyn Gill A1 Leah Gramlich A1 S. Nicole Culos-Reed A1 Gregg Nelson A1 Olle Ljungqvist A1 Franco Carli A1 Tanis Fenton YR 2021 UL http://canjsurg.ca/content/64/6/E578.abstract AB Background: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) and prehabilitation programs are evidence-based and patient-focused, yet meaningful patient input could further enhance these interventions to produce superior patient outcomes and patient experiences. We conducted a qualitative study with patients who had undergone colorectal surgery under ERAS care to determine how they prepared for surgery, their views on prehabilitation and how prehabilitation could be delivered to best meet patient needs.Methods: We conducted semistructured interviews with adult patients who had undergone colorectal surgery under ERAS care within 3 months after surgery. Patients were enrolled between April 2018 and June 2019 through purposive sampling from 1 hospital in Alberta. The interview transcripts were analyzed independently by a researcher and a trained patient-researcher using inductive thematic analysis.Results: Twenty patients were interviewed. Three main themes were identified. First, waiting for surgery: patients described fear, anxiety, isolation and deterioration of their mental and physical states as they waited passively for surgery. Second, preparing would have been better than just waiting: patients perceived that a prehabilitation program could prepare them for their operation if it addressed their emotional and physical needs, provided personalized support, offered home strategies, involved family and included surgical expectations (both what to expect and what is expected of them). Third, partnering with patients: preoperative preparation should occur on a continuum that meets patients where they are at and in a partnership that respects patients’ expertise and desired level of engagement.Conclusion: We identified several patient priorities for the preoperative period. Integrating these priorities within ERAS and prehabilitative programs could improve patient satisfaction, experiences and outcomes. Actively engaging patients in their care might alleviate some of the anxiety and fear associated with waiting passively for surgery.