Improving surgical patient education materials using informational design with visual elements.

Patient education materials (PEMs) serve as a foundation for educating patients and families across all surgical fields but are often not understandable. The National Institute of Health (NIH) recommends that PEMs be written at a grade 6-7 reading level; however, most current materials exceed that measure. Lack of understandable and appropriate surgical PEMs compounds the difficulties that low health literacy patients face with resultant poor surgical outcomes.

Increased Risk of Postoperative Mortality Associated With Prior COVID-19 Infection.

Introduction: The impact of COVID-19 infection on surgical patients is largely described by small-cohort studies. This study characterized the risk factors for postoperative mortality among patients with preoperative COVID-19 infection.

Methods: Data were abstracted from the electronic medical record for patients who tested positive for COVID-19 before surgery, excluding procedures related to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (case, March 2020-April 2021).

Cost-benefit analysis of a patient engagement technology (PET) in cardiac, thoracic, and colorectal surgery.

Background: Patient engagement technologies (PETs) guide patients through perioperative care, but little is known about their costs-benefits.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing elective colorectal, cardiac, thoracic surgery 2015-2020. PET was implemented 2018.

Inequity in Telemedicine Use Among Patients with Cancer in the Deep South During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Telemedicine use has increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. It remains unclear if its rapid growth exacerbates disparities in healthcare access. We aimed to characterize telemedicine use among a large oncology population in the Deep South during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The association of health literacy and postoperative complications after colorectal surgery: A cohort study.

Background: Health literacy is a determinant of health. Few studies characterize its association with surgical outcomes.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery 2015-2020.

Understanding the surgical experience for Black and White patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): The importance of health literacy.

Background: Racial/ethnic disparities in outcomes exist for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) undergoing surgery. The underlying mechanism(s) remain unclear and patient perspectives are needed. We therefore aimed to characterize the surgical experience for Black and White IBD patients using qualitative methods.

Low Health Literacy Exists in the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Population and Is Disproportionately Prevalent in Older African Americans.

Background: Low health literacy is common in general populations, but its prevalence in the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) population is unclear. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of low health literacy in a diverse IBD population and to identify risk factors for low health literacy.

Methods: Adult patients with IBD at a single institution from November 2017 to May 2018 were assessed for health literacy using the Newest Vital Sign (NVS).

Racial disparities exist in surgical outcomes for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Racial disparities in surgical outcomes exist for Black patients with IBD compared to White patients. However, previous studies fail to include other racial/ethnic populations. We hypothesized these disparities exist for Hispanic and Asian patients.

Health Literacy in Surgery.

Background: Low health literacy is associated with poor health outcomes in many chronic diseases and may have an important role in determining surgical outcomes. This study aims to comprehensively review the current state of science on adult health literacy in surgery and to identify knowledge gaps for future research.

Methods: Using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, a systematic search was conducted to identify all studies from January 2002 through May 2018 that used validated instruments to assess health literacy among adult patients undergoing surgery.

Understanding the Surgical Experience for African-Americans and Caucasians With Enhanced Recovery.

Introduction: Racial/ethnic disparities in surgical outcomes exist. Enhanced recovery programs (ERPs) have reduced some racial/ethnic disparities, but it remains unclear if disparities in experiences are also reduced. The purpose of this study was to use qualitative methods to better understand the surgical experience for African-American and Caucasian patients in the setting of an ERP.