Patients’ satisfaction with fast-track surgery in gynaecological oncology S. PHILP, MN(NP), RN, BN, GRAD CERT CANCER NURSING, GRAD CERT WOMEN’S HEALTH NURSING, NURSE PRACTITIONER, GYNAECOLOGI- CAL ONCOLOGY, Lifehouse Gynaecologic Oncology Group, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, and Cancer Nursing Research Unit, Sydney Nursing School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, J. CARTER, MD (CGO), PROFESSOR, Lifehouse Gynaecologic Oncology Group, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, and Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, S. PATHER, MD (CGO), ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, Lifehouse Gynaecologic Oncology Group, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, and Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, C. BARNETT, PHD, SENIOR RESEARCH OFFICER, Cancer Nursing Research Unit, Sydney Nursing School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, N. D’ABREW, BA (PSYCH) HONS, SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER, Cancer Nursing Research Unit, Sydney Nursing School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, & K. WHITE, PHD, RN, ONCCERT, CERTPALL, PROFESSOR, CANCER INSTITUTE OF NSW CHAIR, Cancer Nursing Research Unit, Sydney Nursing School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, and School of Nursing, Midwifery and Postgraduate Medicine, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia PHILP S., CARTER J., PATHER S., BARNETT C., D’ABREW N. & WHITE K. (201 ) European Journal of Cancer Care Patients’ satisfaction with fast-track surgery in gynaecological oncology This study investigates the experience and satisfaction with care of fast-tracked gynaecological patients. The Sydney Gynaecological Oncology Group, New South Wales, Australia, has previously shown the benefits of a fast-track surgery programme for gynaecology patients with both complex benign gynaecological pathology and gynaecological malignancy. The question of whether these benefits translate into a positive experience for fast-tracked patients, in the context of their hospital stay and healthcare team care, has not been previously explored in detail. A self-administered satisfaction questionnaire incorporating the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) cancer in-patient satisfaction with care measure (INPATSAT-32) questionnaire with additional questions was administered to 106 gynaecology participants at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with patient care and support received from doctors, ward nurses and the hospital as a service and care organisation, within the context of a fast-track surgical programme. Early hospital discharge after gynaecological surgery results in both enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and high levels of patient satisfaction. Keywords: fast-track surgery, early hospital discharge, gynaecological oncology, INPATSAT-32, patient satisfaction, enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). INTRODUCTION Fast-track surgery (FTS), or ‘enhanced recovery after surgery’, is a successful multimodal programme for the management of patients that has been implemented across a range of surgical areas. It aims to improve recov- ery from surgery, in addition to reducing patients’ morbid- ity (Chase et al. 2008; Alcorn & Renwick 2009). The Correspondence address: Shannon Philp, NP, Lifehouse, 119-143 Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW, 2050. Lecturer and Coordinator, Cancer and Haematology Nursing, Sydney Nursing School, The University of Sydney, 88 Mallett St, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia (e-mail: Shannon.Philp @lh.org.au). Accepted 4 September 2014 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.12254 European Journal of Cancer Care, 2015 © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd Original Article 24, 567–573 5 24, 567–573 ,