Table 3 Illustrative quotes for Theme 2 on patients’ experiences and perspectives on preoperative care in colorectal cancer and abdominal surgery

Informational Needs and Informed Decision-making

“I’d do it myself, but I’d like somebody to say that if I did my exercises and stuff I would be much better physically prepared for the operation than if I just laid around and smoked all the time” (FG1, P4)

“I’m the kind of guy that likes information and I didn’t get sufficient information…I could have benefitted by a whole lot more of information myself. For other people, too much information can make you even more stressful but I didn’t have sufficient information” (FG3, P7)

“So I had hip replacement surgery and before I had it, they said ‘you should lose 40 pounds and you should do these exercises.’ Well I did it 100%, I lost the 40 pounds, I did the exercises because it was specific and I could understand the benefit. But with this colon cancer, I just don’t see any…you have to tell me something more” (FG3, P8)

“I don’t think it’s a doctor-hospital, not our province’s medical responsibility to hold our hands to exercise” (FG1, P6)

“I think to have a set program that could be delivered at a location by a physical trainer… would be perfect. Getting the information… I wouldn’t be inclined to do it myself. I would be more likely to just carry on with my own routine that I use. So, having to go in, having to fulfill a 4-week or 6-week program 2 to 3 times a week would be more advantageous I think” (FG2, P3)

“I said, “I’m not trying to sound like an idiot here guys, but can someone tell me what the heck you are talking about”?” (FG2, P2)

“Not just a little pamphlet here’s a pamphlet, like I said before it doesn’t tell me anything. It’s the generic thing they tell everybody, half the stuff that was in the pamphlet wasn’t happening to me. Again, somebody to say, “here’s the things that are going to happen and this is what’s going to be after”” (FG1, P4)

“[I]t’s great to actually see someone do something and say, “okay I know I am doing it right” and not for example increasing my risk of getting a hernia” (FG2, P2)

“I would put on more [materials for support] except the nutrition or support, exercise, I would say well-being and helping. Spiritual well-being and helping is more important” (FG2, P5)

“a resource, somebody you could pick up the phone and call and ask some of these questions, to put your mind kind of at ease” (FG2, P4)