Patient journey following lumbar discectomy surgery.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The patient journey following lumbar discectomy surgery: single centre qualitative analysis of the patient rehabilitation experience.
IRAS ID
241345
Contact name
Alison Rushton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
ERN_18-0194, Ethics self assessment
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Lumbar discectomy surgery is an effective treatment for persistent signs and symptoms associated with nerve root compression due to lumbar disc protrusion where 1] conservative management has been exhausted or 2] if there is increasing neurological deficit. Patients do not always recover fully and evidence suggests a variety of physical and psychosocial influencing factors. However, the patients’ perspective is not clearly understood regarding perceived needs post-surgery and this is essential to enable clinicians to address potential barriers to optimal recovery.
Aim: This study aims to explore perceptions of patients who undergo lumbar discectomy surgery and capture their lived experiences to inform changes to current practice.
Methods: An Interpretative Phenomenology Analysis (IPA) will be utilised to undertake a qualitative study. A purposive patient sample will be recruited to explore similarities and differences within this group. Semi-structured interviews will be undertaken:
• following post-operative discharge
• 1 year post surgery.
Pre and post operative experiences will be explored including attitudes, beliefs and expectations about surgery and rehabilitation. Also facilitators and barriers to recovery will be discussed and experiences regarding return to normal function/ activities/ work etc.
Participants will also complete weekly diaries to provide detailed insight into life as lived through the first post operative year including symptoms experienced, medication, experienced stages of recovery, attitudes, beliefs and feelings during rehab phase, interaction and appointments with health care professionals.
Data Analysis: Rich density of data will be provided and coded (as required for IPA analysis). Understanding of the patient journey from initial interviews and diaries will inform the second interview to provide depth of detail regarding the post discectomy experience.
Clinical implications: Greater understanding of key experiences and perceptions for patients will guide changes to post-operative care and inform future precision rehabilitation post lumbar discectomy thus improving care in terms of clinical and cost effectiveness.REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0459
Date of REC Opinion
28 Mar 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion