Assessment of visual satisfaction and function after cataract surgery.

Purpose: To examine the relationships between importance, satisfaction, visual acuity, and visual function in a sample of preoperative cataract patients and to derive and prospectively evaluate a shortened measure of visual function.

Setting: Day-stay cataract surgery unit at large private hospital and consulting rooms of metropolitan ophthalmologists.

Methods: Two independent samples of 111 and 121 patients were surveyed before and after surgery with regard to their visual satisfaction, trouble with vision, VF-14 visual function, overall satisfaction, and importance of factors affecting patient satisfaction.

Expectations and outcomes in cataract surgery: a prospective test of 2 models of satisfaction.

Objectives: To document patients' preoperative expectations for postoperative outcomes. To measure the relative contribution of patient understanding, expectations, outcome, and expectation-outcome discrepancy in determining patient satisfaction.

Methods: One hundred twenty-one patients were surveyed just before and 1 month after cataract surgery regarding their understanding of the procedure, satisfaction with their vision, and both current and expected visual function for each of the items on the Visual Function Index (VF-14).

Public versus private patient priorities and satisfaction in cataract surgery.

Background: Despite strong stereotypes of differences, few studies have compared private and public patient priorities and satisfaction, and none in the context of cataract surgery. The objective of this study was to compare samples of private and public patients undergoing day-stay cataract surgery.

Methods: Forty-two public patients and 39 private patients were asked to rate the importance of 13 domains that prior research has shown to influence patient satisfaction.

Cataract surgery in Australia: a profile of patient-centred outcomes.

Background: Few studies have addressed quality of life or satisfaction outcomes for patients undergoing cataract surgery, particularly in Australia. The purpose of this study was to describe a sample of patients undergoing cataract surgery in typical metropolitan practices in Sydney, with a particular focus on the impact upon quality of life and satisfaction with vision.

Methods: One hundred and eleven patients were recruited prior to surgery and followed through 3 months postoperatively.

Surgeons' perceptions of their patients' priorities.

Purpose: To compare cataract surgeons' predictions of patient responses to patients' actual responses on 13 factors that are important to patients about to have cataract surgery and are likely to affect their satisfaction.

Setting: Day-stay cataract surgery units at a large private hospital and a large public hospital.

Method: Patients (private and public) were asked to rate the importance of 13 factors regarding their cataract treatment.

What do patients want? Patient preferences and surrogate decision making in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Purpose: Clinicians often make decisions for their patients, despite evidence that suggests that correspondence between patient and clinician decision making is poor. The management of colorectal cancer presents difficult decisions because the impact of treatment on quality of life might overshadow its survival efficacy. This study investigated whether patients are able to trade survival for quality of life as a means to express their preference for treatment options and to compare their preferences with those expressed by clinicians.

Patient entry into randomized controlled trials of colorectal cancer treatment: factors influencing participation.

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate willingness to participate in hypothetical surgical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) among patients and clinicians, who answered as if they themselves were patients.

Methods: We interviewed consecutive patients with colorectal cancer admitted for surgery at a tertiary center in Sydney, Australia. We mailed a questionnaire to all colorectal surgeons and medical oncologists in Australia.

Randomized, controlled trial of biofeedback with anal manometry, transanal ultrasound, or pelvic floor retraining with digital guidance alone in the treatment of mild to moderate fecal incontinence.

Background: A prospective, three-armed, randomized, controlled trial was performed to assess whether pelvic floor exercises with biofeedback using anal manometry or transanal ultrasound are superior to pelvic floor exercises with feedback from digital examination alone in terms of continence, quality of life, physiologic sphincter strength, and compliance. Its secondary objectives were to assess whether there are any differences in these outcomes between biofeedback with transanal ultrasound vs. anal manometry and to correlate the physiologic measures with clinical outcome.

Assessment of quality of life in the treatment of patients with neuropathic fecal incontinence.

Introduction: Development of quality-of-life measures has been the focus of research in colorectal disorders in recent years. The assessment of quality of life for fecal incontinence should be more important than quantitative measurement of soiling.

Purpose: This study assesses specific patient quality-of-life objectives, categorizes objectives, and correlates these objectives with continence scores.

Long-term outcomes of pelvic floor exercise and biofeedback treatment for patients with fecal incontinence.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the long-term clinical and quality of life outcomes for patients after referral to a four-month treatment program for fecal incontinence based on pelvic floor exercises and biofeedback. Secondary objectives were to document patients' subsequent treatment activities and their perception of the biofeedback training; to establish the long-term outcomes and initial predictors for the subset of patients who did not complete the treatment, or who failed to improve during the program; and to correlate changes in clinical outcome measures and quality of life over time.

Methods: Patients were contacted by telephone to determine their perception of progress subsequent to the treatment program, any subsequent treatment or activities relating to their fecal incontinence, and which aspect of the treatment program they believed was most helpful.