The effects of giving patients verbal or written pre-operative information in gynecologic oncology surgery: a randomized study and the medical-legal point of view Roberto Angioli a , Francesco Plotti c , Stella Capriglione a , Alessia Aloisi a , Maria Elisa Aloisi b , Daniela Luvero a , Andrea Miranda a, *, Roberto Montera a , Matteo Gulino c , Paola Frati c,d a Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Campus Bio Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy b Catania Forum, Catania, Italy c Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, University of Rome ‘‘Sapienza’’, 336 Viale Regina Elena, Rome 00185, Lazio, Italy d Mediterranean Neurological Institute Neuromed IRCCS, 18 Via Atinense, Pozzilli 86077, IS, Italy Introduction Appropriate information given to cancer survivors about their diagnosis, treatment, possible long-term and late effects and referral services can result in better informed decision making, lower levels of distress, and improved satisfaction with care and sense of control [1–4]. Cancer survivors who are satisfied with the information they received have a better health related quality of life, and lower levels of depression and anxiety c. Studies suggest that most cancer patients want as much information as possible [5–7]. However, many patients are now being admitted on the day of their surgical or medical procedure, thus, reducing preoperative assessment and preparation time for activities such as teaching and health promotion. Health professionals are consequently searching for time and cost-effective strategies to deliver signifi- cant quantities of important preoperative advice and information in an effectual manner that meets not only the demands of the patient in the busy preoperative environment. In general, the provision of preoperative information is thought to have consid- erable time and cost benefits to health care including faster postoperative recovery, reduction in postoperative complications and a reduction in patient anxiety. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 177 (2014) 67–71 ARTICLE INFO Article history: Received 28 November 2013 Received in revised form 20 December 2013 Accepted 31 March 2014 Keywords: Preoperative Outpatients Questionnaire Information Medical-legal ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate the verbal and written preoperative information in patients undergoing surgery for malignant gynaecologic disease, in terms of satisfaction about preoperative received informations, hospitalization days, postoperative pain experienced using visual analogue scale (VAS) and number of pain drugs used daily. Study design: From January 2008 to December 2012, consecutive patients with diagnosis of endometrial cancer, referred to the Division of Gynecology of University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, were enrolled. Eligible subjects were randomized into two groups: Group V (Verbal information ward) consisted of patients who had verbal preoperative information about surgical procedure and postoperative management and Group W (Written Information ward) consisted of patients who had written preoperative information. All preoperative and postoperative data were recorded. Concerning satisfaction about preoperative received informations, patients were asked to complete the QLQ-C30 and the EORTC INFO25. Results: 190 patients were considered in this study. Group W (n = 92) has a better info satisfaction (p = 0.0008, statistically significant), a mean VAS value lower (p = 0.02, statistically significant) and also a lower number of hospitalization days (p = 0.0265, statistically significant) and pain medications used daily, (p = 0.0120, statistically significant), comparing with group V (n = 98). Conclusions: We support the use of preoperative information leaflet to better prepare patients for a surgical procedure, showing a faster recovery, low medications use and a better quality of life outcome. ß 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. * Corresponding authors. Tel.: +0039 3452572851/+0039 06225411488; fax: +0039 06 22541456. E-mail addresses: r.angioli@unicampus.it (R. Angioli), a.miranda@unicampus.it (A. Miranda). Contents lists available at ScienceDirect European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ejogrb http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2014.03.041 0301-2115/ß 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.