Evaluating Health Literacy, Expectations and Regrets in Patients Undergoing Major Abdominal Surgery for Malignant Disease

Patients undergoing major abdominal cancer surgery often face complex treatment decisions that involve weighing potential benefits against significant risks, including postoperative complications and prolonged recovery. In such situations, adequate patient information, realistic expectations and sufficient health literacy may be essential for supporting informed decision-making. When patients feel insufficiently informed or experience a mismatch between their expectations and postoperative outcomes, this may contribute to decision regret and reduced quality of life.

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between health literacy, preoperative information, patient expectations, and postoperative experiences in patients undergoing major abdominal cancer surgery. In particular, the study will examine how these factors relate to postoperative decision regret and health-related quality of life.

This is a prospective observational cohort study conducted at the Department of Transplantation and Digestive Diseases at Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark. Patients undergoing major abdominal cancer surgery, including pancreatic, hepatic, esophageal, gastric, and major colorectal procedures, will be invited to participate.

Data will be collected at baseline before surgery and at follow-up approximately one month and three months after surgery. Participants will complete validated questionnaires about health literacy, treatment expectations, perceived information received before surgery, anxiety and depression, decision regret and health-related quality of life. In addition, a subgroup of participants will be invited to participate in semi-structured qualitative interviews to explore how their preoperative expectations correspond with their postoperative experiences.

The study aims to improve understanding of how patient-related factors such as health literacy and expectations influence postoperative experiences and decision regret. The findings may contribute to a better understanding of factors associated with postoperative decision regret and patient-reported outcomes following major abdominal cancer surgery.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients > 18 years undergoing elective surgical treatment.
• Patients who can read and understand the Danish language.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who are cognitively disabled and cannot mentally cooperate with the study design, as assessed by the investigator.

In accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, patients have the right to withdraw from the study at any time for any reason