Abstract
The FASTER study (Function after spinal treatment, exercise and rehabilitation) aims to evaluate, via a factorial RCT, the benefits of a rehabilitation programme and an education booklet Your back operation, www.tso.co.uk/bookshop, for the postoperative management of patients undergoing discectomy or lateral nerve root decompression, each compared with “usual care”. Included in this larger study is an evaluation of the booklet which forms the focus of this abstract.
To date, 128 patients have been recruited into the study of which 63 have been randomised to receive the booklet. At 3 months post-surgery all of these patients are requested to complete a questionnaire on the booklet. This questionnaire contained forced-choice questions on readability etc and open questions regarding content. Finally, patients were asked their overall rating of the booklet on a scale from 1 to 10.
Feedback is very positive. The average overall rating of the booklet was 8.3/10. Over 85% found it easy to read, interesting, and of appropriate length. Over 90% also stated they had learnt new and helpful information. All subjects stated that they would recommend the booklet to a friend, and the majority stated that they frequently referred to the booklet. The predominant messages received and understood by the patients were related to the safe benefits of early activation and return to normal activities.
The results show that spinal surgery patients appreciate evidence-based information in booklet form, and suggest that this booklet may be an important adjunct to post-operative management of spinal patients.
Correspondence should be addressed to: Mr John O’ Dowd, SBPR, c/o BOA, The Royal College of Surgeons, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE.
