Influences of resilience and social support on postoperative recovery among patients with gastrointestinal cancer

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate patients' perceived postoperative recovery over time and to identify the influences of resilience and social support on postoperative recovery among patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Methods: 101 patients with GI cancer who underwent surgery at S tertiary hospital were recruited from October 29th, 2015 to January 19th, 2016. Data was collected 3 times at postoperative day (POD)3, and POD5 in the hospital and at POD14 at home. Statistical analyses used were descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, ANCOVA, correlation, and linear mixed model. Results: The patients' perceived postoperative recovery(reverse cording) decreased at home rather than time during hospital stay (POD3: 16.70, POD5: 15.74, POD14: 17.08). Postoperative recovery at POD5 showed negative correlation with resilience (r=-.36, p=.002). Postoperative recovery scores at POD14 were negatively correlated with resilience (r=-.60, p<.001) and social support (r=-.34, p=.019). There was a positive correlation (r=-.36, p=.002) between resilience and social support. Resilience was a significant associated factor with postoperative recovery over time (ß=-0.29, p=.001). Conclusion: Since the degree of postoperative recovery after hospital discharge was perceived lower than that of during hospital stay, nursing interventions such as nurse-led telephone follow-up programs should be applied during the transition period.