Providing Patients Realistic Expectations of Postoperative Pain (PPREOPP)

CMS questions to assess patient satisfaction of pain control were removed from the HCAHPS survey, leaving the study without intervention assessment.

Prospective, randomized, single-blind study, whether perioperative educational improves pain-related postoperative outcomes,

This is a prospective, randomized, single-blind study in 100 patients undergoing open colorectal surgery. If the hypothesis is confirmed, then patients who receive perioperative educational interventions to address their expectation about their postoperative pain will have improved pain-related postoperative outcomes. Randomization and Blinding 100 eligible patients scheduled to undergo open colorectal surgery will be approached in the Center for Preoperative Assessment and Planning Clinic. At enrollment, each patient will be assigned a study number, which will match a previously prepared computer-generated list of randomization numbers to determine whether they will be in the intervention or control arm. Pre-operatively, all patients will complete an initial questionnaire. The patients in the intervention group (n=50) will, in addition to the standard pre-operative assessment, also receive pre-operative educational instruction of what to expect from a post-operative pain perspective including education material to take home. For this study, deception will be used, with the reasoning that the patients' knowledge of the different education materials will affect their rating of the impact of the intervention on satisfaction scores.

At enrollment, each patient will be assigned a study number, which will match a previously prepared computer-generated list of randomization numbers to determine whether they will be in the intervention or control arm. Pre-operatively, all patients will complete an initial questionnaire. The patients in the intervention group (n=50) will, in addition to the standard pre-operative assessment, also receive pre-operative educational instruction of what to expect from a post-operative pain perspective including education material to take home. For this study, we will be using deception, with the reasoning that the patients' knowledge of the different education materials will affect their rating of the impact of the intervention on satisfaction scores.

Participants who receive perioperative educational to address their expectation about their postoperative pain will have improved pain-related postoperative outcomes.

The satisfaction with postoperative pain control will be assessed using an initial, post-operative and discharge questionnaire of participant's pain level, medications (if any) to manage pain, the affects of that pain management, and participant satisfaction of that pain control.

Inclusion Criteria: Age > 18 years Undergoing open colorectal surgery Able to understand and sign and informed consent form Exclusion Criteria: Age < 18 years Unable to complete post-operative CMS questionnaire Inability to understand the English language Absolute contraindication to epidural placement (patient refusal, requiring resumption of therapeutic anticoagulation after surgery, anaphylaxis to local anesthetics, local or systemic infections, bleeding diathesis)

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