Aims ESGE-guidelines recommend evaluation of patients’ experience as an important performance measure of colonoscopy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore how adult outpatients’ experience to undergo a colonoscopy, regarding the time prior to, during and after the procedure.
Methods A qualitative study where the data derived from face-to-face interviews (n = 24), that were analysed using thematic analysis. Recruitment: December 2018 to May 2019 at a University Hospital Endoscopy Department in southern Sweden. All patients underwent a split-dose 4-L polyethylene glycol regimen for bowel preparation prior to the colonoscopy. The sample was purposeful and the informants were adult outpatients (21–83 years, m/f: 11/13) who had undergone an elective colonoscopy procedure for the first time.
Results The thematic analysis revealed two evident themes, expectations and well-being. The informants clearly described a need of formal information about the colonoscopy to be able to understand what would happen before, during and after the procedure. Furthermore, the bowel preparation was experienced as burdensome, indeed the cleansing could even be worse than the colonoscopy itself. Going through a colonoscopy was experienced as being in an exposed situation, and therefore well-behaved manners from healthcare professionals towards the informants were emphasized as important and contributed to a positive experience. Additional, small talk and humour served as a diversion from the apprehensive expectations of the colonoscopy. The responsiveness of the healthcare to meet the informants’ needs regarding discomfort and pain during the procedure were important since these needs sometimes were difficult for the informants to verbalize during the colonoscopy.
Conclusions The experience of a colonoscopy is highly individual and, the healthcare professionals’ ability to be responsive to each individuals needs determines how well they experience to undergo a colonoscopy. Healthcare professionals need to embrace the patients’ perspective and, treat them respectfully as well as to provide valuable information.
