Wouter Leclercq

Chapter 14 206 5. A substantial portion of malpractice claims and MDB decisions are related to missing items of an overall deficient SIC process. Optimizing SIC may improve patient satisfaction and expectations and may subsequently result in a lower risk on malpractice claims and MDB complaints. 6. Currently used SIC forms in general surgery have insufficient quality. A format for a best-practice SIC form for both surgeon and patient is proposed. 7. Personalised e-health interventions after abdominal surgery accelerate ‘return to normal activities’ compared to usual care. Implementation of an e-health programme is recommended for certain surgical procedures. Relevance What is the (potential) contribution of the results of this research to science, and if applicable to social sectors and societal challenges? The scientific relevance of this thesis can be found in the publication of all (but one) chapter in a peer reviewed journal indexed on Pubmed®. The publications are cited over 300 times according to Google Scolar ® and contributed to the expanding knowledge of SIC and post-operative counselling of surgical patients. Next to the scientific value, this thesis has a social and economic value. The quest to improve SIC for patients and surgeons is of social relevance. The general view of SIC is modulated by the timeframe, social circumstances and has developed intensively over the last century and the last decades (chapter 2). The role of the paternalistic surgeon has changed to a more patient orientated perspective. This thesis is an example of patient orientated research and provides new insights in several aspects, such as the difficulties of SIC in daily practice (chapter 3-6), the challenge to enhance SIC, diminish complaints and claims (chapter 7-9), or the implementation of E-health during recovery (chapter 10). The economic value can be found in faster recovery, higher satisfaction, enhanced compliance and fewer legal cases, which all lead to economic value for patients, hospitals and society. Target audience For whom are the research results interesting and / or relevant? And why? In this thesis some patient groups were included but the conclusions of this thesis are more widely applicable to all patients. The more patients are in the lead and optimally guided by professionals during the SIC and postoperative process, the better their outcome. Patients are willing to spend more time and energy on becoming experts of their own situation . Focussing on patient empowerment will result in higher patient satisfaction and compliance.