Implementation barriers of enhanced recovery after surgery among medical staff of Abdominal Surgery in Class III Grade A hospitals

Objective To explore the implementation barriers of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) among medical staff of Abdominal Surgery in ClassⅢ Grade A hospitals so as to provide a reference for health authorities and hospital managers to develop the promotion strategy of ERAS. Methods From July to October 2017, this study selected totals of 12 doctors and nurses of Abdominal Surgery Department from 4 ClassⅢ Grade A hospitals as interviewees by purposive sampling. In-depth interview on implementation barriers of ERAS in departments was carried out with the semi-structured interview outline. The Colaizzi method was used to interview data analysis. Results Implementation barriers of ERAS main included 6 aspects involving the difficulties in multidisciplinary collaboration, difficuties in changing traditional concept among medical staff, lack of patients' understanding and collaboration, safety remained to be tested, lack of support and safeguard measure and insufficient medical resource in primary hospitals. Conclusions ClassⅢ Grade A hospitals of China are faced with barriers when implementing ERAS, including the difficulties in team collaboration, insufficient cognition of medical staff, lack of patients' understanding and collaboration, safety remained to be tested, lack of policy support and safeguard measure and insufficient medical resources in primary hospitals. Management departments should develop the targeted promotion strategy based on those barriers to promote the popularity and application of ERAS. Key words: Abdomen; Perioperative period; Enhanced recovery after surgery; Implementation barriers; Medical staff; Qualitative research