"You have to hold their hand": experiences of providers integrating virtual care and communication methods while caring for ICU patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The rapid expansion of synchronous telephone and video virtual care options allowed the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to adapt to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and provided a unique opportunity to assess the potential for integration and utility of virtual care in VHA systems. The objective of this study was to highlight the perspectives of VHA providers caring for intensive care unit (ICU) patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and their views on the use of virtual care and communication for palliative and end-of-life patients.

Methods: Forty-eight semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with providers between April 2021 and March 2022 and were analyzed using steps informed by thematic content analysis.

Better end-of-life care in surgical patients: Veterans Affairs Bereaved Family Survey - a qualitative analysis.

Background: End-of-life care among surgical patients is largely understudied and far fewer studies examine such care from the family perspective. To identify potential opportunities for improvement, we explored responses of family members of veterans who died following surgery using the Veterans Affairs (VAs) Bereaved Family Survey (BFS).

Methods: We examined data from the BFS open-text responses to explore insights into surgical patient's end-of-life care.

Patient adherence to an oral rehydration solution intervention to prevent dehydration following ileostomy creation: A qualitative study.

Background: Patients undergoing surgery for ileostomy creation frequently experience postoperative dehydration and subsequent renal injury. The use of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) has been shown to prevent dehydration, but compliance may be variable.

Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 patients who received a postoperative hydration kit and dehydration education to assess barriers and facilitators to compliance with ORS kit instructions.

Family perspectives on end-of-life care after surgery: A qualitative analysis of the veteran affairs bereaved family surveys.

Background: Using open-text responses from the Bereaved Family Survey (BFS), we sought to explore Veteran family experiences on end-of-life care after surgery.

Methods: We evaluated 936 open-text responses for all decedents who underwent any high-risk surgical procedure across 124 Veterans Affairs facilities between 2010 and 2019. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Reducing Ileostomy Readmissions: Using Implementation Science to Evaluate the Adoption of a Quality Improvement Initiative.

Background: Translating empirical evidence into clinical practice remains challenging. Prevention of morbidity from new ileostomies may serve as an example. Despite evidence demonstrating improvements in electrolyte levels, kidney function markers, and hospital readmissions, widespread adoption of oral rehydration solutions among patients with new ileostomies has not occurred.

Elucidating academic surgical staff perspectives of medical student learning in the operating room: An embedded mixed methods study.

Background: The operating room (OR) is a complex environment for medical students. Little is known about the OR staff's perception of medical students.

Methods: We utilized an embedded mixed methods design to characterize surgical staff perceptions of students at an academic institution.

"I Wish There had been Resources": A Photo-Elicitation Study of Rectal Cancer Survivorship Care Needs.

Background: Rectal cancer survivors experience unique, prolonged posttherapy symptoms. Previous data indicate that providers are not skilled at identifying the most pertinent rectal cancer survivorship issues. Consequently, survivorship care is incomplete with the majority of rectal cancer survivors reporting at least one unmet posttherapy need.

"Their Whole Lives Are Going To Change": A Photo-Elicitation Study of Rectal Cancer Survivorship.

Background: Rectal cancer survivors experience persistent symptoms, which may lead to unmet needs.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the rectal cancer survivor experience and identify the impacts of treatment using photo-elicitation.

Design: This was a novel study in which patients were instructed to take photographs that showed aspects of life that have been challenging to deal with since undergoing treatment.

"Learn from each other": A qualitative exploration of collaborative quality improvement.

Background: Collaborative quality improvement is an established method to conduct quality improvement in surgical care. Despite the success of this method, little is known about the experiences, perceptions, and attitudes of those who participate in collaborative quality improvement. The following study elicited common themes associated with the experiences and perceptions of surgeons participating in collaborative quality improvement.

Parastomal Hernia Rates and Exercise After Ostomy Surgery.

Background: Parastomal hernias are common and negatively affect patient's lives. We hypothesized that physical activity (or lack thereof) might be associated with the presence of parastomal hernia. If so, this might be an actionable target for prevention.

Urologic oncology patient perspectives during COVID-19 treatment delays.

Purpose: We sought to describe patient experiences during COVID-19 related delays in urologic cancer treatment.

Methods: We conducted a mixed methods study with an explanatory-sequential design. Survey findings are presented here.

A national qualitative study of surgical coaching: Opportunities and barriers for colorectal surgeons.

Background: Surgical coaching interventions have been recommended as a method of technological skills improvement for individual surgeons and lifelong occupational learning. Patient outcomes for laparoscopic colectomy vary significantly based on surgeon experience and case volume. As surgical coaching is an emerging area, little is known about how surgeons view coaching interventions.

Barriers to colorectal cancer screening in Ghana: a qualitative study of patients and physicians.

Purpose: The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Ghana has increased eightfold since the 1960s. In 2011, national guidelines were set forth recommending all patients aged 50-70 years old undergo annual CRC screening with fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), but adherence to these guidelines is poor and screening rates remain low for unclear reasons.

Methods: We performed semi-structured interviews with 28 Ghanaians including physicians (n = 14) and patients (n = 14) from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana, to better understand the factors driving screening adherence and perceived barriers identified in an earlier quantitative study.

Psychological and sexual distress in rectal cancer patients and partners.

Background: Rectal cancer (RC) patients experience unique sources of distress, including sexual dysfunction and body image concerns, which can also cause distress among partners. This preliminary study investigated patterns of psychological distress, sexual functioning, sexual distress, and relationship satisfaction among RC patient-partner couples at pivotal points during cancer treatment.

Methods: Twenty couples participated (N = 40).

It's not fine: A photo-elicitation study of rectal cancer survivors' emotions and coping strategies.

Background: Comprehensive cancer care includes supporting the psychological health of survivors who are at high risk of distress. However, little is known about the emotional experiences of rectal cancer survivors specifically. We sought to explore psychological well-being and coping strategies utilized by rectal cancer survivors.

Developing a Patient-Centered Model of Prostate Cancer Care: Patient Satisfaction With a Survivorship Program Embedded in Urologic-Oncologic Care.

Objective: To evaluate patients' and partners' satisfaction with a prostate cancer survivorship program embedded in urologic-oncologic care. As a part of quality improvement activity, we developed a patient and partner-centered, biopsychosocial support program for men and partners coping with the urinary and sexual side-effects of surgical treatment for prostate cancer. The program became a part of usual care for all prostate cancer patients.

Delayed Urological Cancer Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Urologists' Experience.

Introduction: The arrival of coronavirus disrupted health care systems and forced delays in cancer treatment. We explored the experience of urologists who had to delay their patients' cancer care.

Methods: Urologists who treat prostate, bladder, and renal cancers, selected through purposive sampling, responded to a survey about cancer treatment delay.

Colorectal surgery patient perspectives on healthcare during the CoVID-19 pandemic.

Background: To focus on critical care needs of coronavirus patients, elective operations were postponed and selectively rescheduled. The effect of these measures on patients was unknown. We sought to understand patients' perspectives regarding surgical care during the CoVID-19 pandemic to improve future responses.

Completeness of operative reports for rectal cancer surgery.

Introduction: Synoptic operative reporting has been shown to improve completeness and consistency in surgical documentation. We sought to determine whether operative reports contain the key elements recommended by the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer.

Methods: Rectal cancer operative reports from June-December 2018 were submitted from ten hospitals in Michigan.