Preoperative care dependency and postoperative quality of recovery of the surgical patients

Objective The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between preoperative care dependency and postoperative quality of recovery in patients undergoing surgery. Methods The sample of the descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational study consisted of 215 patients. A Patient Information Form, the Care Dependency Scale and the Recovery Quality-40 Scale were applied to the patients through face-to-face interview technique in order to collect the data between June and December 2018. This study adhered to Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. Results There was a statistically significant difference between Care Dependency Scale and the Recovery Quality-40 Scale mean scores of the patients and their physical comfort, physical independence, and pain in terms of age groups and genders (p<.05). A positive and moderate correlation was found between the patients’ care dependency and physical independence. Conclusion It was observed that when the care dependency level decreased, the patients needed less assistance throughout the postoperative recovery period, as they were able to carry out their daily activities independently.