Methods to increase surgical preparedness in urogynecology are lacking. The objective of this study from HIP Investigator Dr. Heidi Brown was to evaluate the impact of a preoperative provider-initiated telehealth call on surgical preparedness. Women undergoing surgery for pelvic organ prolapse and/or stress urinary incontinence were randomized to either a telehealth call before surgery plus usual preoperative counseling versus usual preoperative counseling alone.
The primary outcome was surgical preparedness, as measured by the Preoperative Prepardeness Questionnaire. The study found that women who received a preoperative telehealth call were significantly more prepared for surgery than those who received usual preoperative counseling alone. A preoperative telehealth call was associated with greater understanding of surgical alternatives, complications, hospital-based catheter care and patient perception that nurses and doctors had spent enough time preparing them for their upcoming surgery.
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