The patient's surgical journey and consequences of poor recovery

Abstract

Quality of recovery is a multidimensional construct that affects individual patients in different ways and during different time periods. The evaluation of quality of recovery requires patient-reported outcome measurement tools that are sensitive in detecting change with time and are preferably objective rather than subjective by nature. Current surgical outcomes are still predominantly focused on the avoidance of complications and reduced cost. The new era of 'value-based care' implies that outcomes of importance to the patient should be a vital metric in determining quality of surgical care. However, it is critical to maintain the high standards of surgical safety and cost containment as w..