Telephone Intervention to Increase Patient Preparedness and Satisfaction Trial (TIPPS): A Randomized Control Trial

Patients will receive a provider-initiated telephone call three days before surgery. In order to standardize counseling across providers, each provider will use a telephone script addressing the following components: Purpose of the surgery, alternatives to the surgery, surgical benefits, surgical risk (such as infection, bleeding, injury to other organ systems), potential surgical complications (such as mesh erosion, voiding dysfunction, urinary retention requiring indwelling catheter), bowel complaints (such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea), and postoperative expectations (such as Foley management, pain management, activity restrictions, and diet. The following ERAS-specific components will be incorporated into the counseling: management of chronic medical conditions, cessation of alcohol and tobacco, and daily exercise until surgery. Questions from patients and total counseling time will be recorded.