2019 Volume 55 Issue 6 Pages 1056-1060
Purpose: In this paper, we report the activities of a nonprofit organization (NPO) that supports the growth of children who have undergone surgery and discuss their postoperative QOL.
Methods: A questionnaire survey involving 34 pediatric patients who had undergone surgery was conducted to examine their health-related distress/difficulties and methods of collecting medical information.
Results: In October 2015, a general meeting was held to establish the NPO Growth Support for Children after Surgical Operation, and in February 2016, the organization was officially approved. To date, it has organized health consultation sessions and open lectures for citizens. In the questionnaire survey, responses were obtained from all of the 34 pediatric patients. Of the 11 patients aged 10 or older with bile duct dilatation, three had an increased risk of cancer and three had postoperative calculus. Of the 10 patients younger than 10 with bile duct dilatation, three had an increased risk of cancer and two had abdominal pain. As for the method of collecting medical information, 32 of the 34 patients collected such information from the hospital/doctor in charge, whereas 22 used the Internet.
Conclusion: The results suggest that pediatric patients who receive outpatient consultation regularly after surgery and their families have difficulty in sufficiently consulting their doctors about their distress/difficulties during the consultation. Their tendency to use the Internet and SNS more frequently to collect medical information was also noted. Through its activities, We will continue to listen to complaints of postoperative pediatric patients to clarify and reduce their distress and difficulties in daily life.
