Evidence-based spine preoperative education

ObjectiveTo provide evidence-based information on when patients should receive preoperative education, how education should be delivered, and what content needs to be included in the education for the elective spinal surgery patient.MethodsLiterature review from December 2009 to November 2011 using Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, and MEDLINE.ResultsPatients should be informed that they have power over their care and recovery process following elective spinal surgery. Preoperative education helps patients understand how to actualize their power in the recovery process. Education obtained far enough in advance to allow more time to consider choices assists the patient in actualizing their power. Involvement in learning can be affected by the amount of information included in the content, various educational settings, or the educational modality. Freedom to have content adjusted to the patient’s learning needs is important.ImplicationsMore research needs to be performed specifically on elective spinal surgery patients to evaluate learning needs and the effect of preoperative education on postoperative outcomes.