CARE TRANSITIONS IN OLDER COLORECTAL SURGERY PATIENTS - System, Provider, and Patient Insights

Sep 28, 2026

Older adults aged 65+ undergoing colorectal surgery face medication errors, postoperative complications, and worsening comorbidities during care transitions. Approximately 31% experience postoperative complications, with an eight-fold functional decline and a 15% readmission risk within 30 days. From Sep 2023 to Apr 2024, 42 stakeholders across 12 disciplines participated in semi-structured interviews. An inductive–deductive thematic analysis produced a codebook organized by system, provider, and patient domains, identifying challenges and actionable solutions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Background and rationale

Methods and stakeholder interviews

Thematic findings by domain

System-level barriers

Provider-level challenges

Patient-level challenges

Proposed multilevel solutions

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 1055 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.3553 CARE TRANSITIONS IN OLDER COLORECTAL SURGERY PATIENTS: SYSTEM, PROVIDER, AND PATIENT INSIGHTS Mark Iskandar1, Ferhat Yildiz2, Christine Ritchie3, and Sevdenur Cizginer3, 1. Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States, 2. Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 3. Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States Older adults (age ≥65) undergoing colorectal surgery are at risk of medication errors, complications, and comorbidity exacerbation during care transitions. In this population, approximately 31% experience postoperative complications, with a 1. 8-fold increase in functional decline and a 15% chance of readmission within 30 days (May, 2025) . Given colorectal surgeries in older adults are projected to increase 50% by 2040, improving post-surgical transitions is important (Xie, 2025) . From September 2023 to April 2024, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 42 stakeholders, including older surgical patients, caregivers, and providers from 12 disciplines. Using an inductive–deductive approach, we developed a preliminary codebook organized around system, provider, and patient domains containing codes for challenges, determinants, and solutions. Two coders independently applied and refined the codebook during thematic analysis, resolving discrepancies through discussion. Thematic analysis of transcripts revealed gaps and potential solutions in care transitions. At provider level, challenges included disorganized handoffs, poor medical team continuity, and limited collaboration with primary care. At system level, barriers included inadequate interdisciplinary coordination, insufficient post discharge resources, and difficulty accessing specialty services. At patient level, challenges included medication adherence, understanding discharge instructions, and avoiding readmission. Proposed solutions included stronger provider 1056 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 communication, enhanced education and support for patients and caregivers, and early discharge planning initiated before surgery, extending to virtual follow-ups post-discharge and connection to community resources. Improving transitions requires amultilevel approach that addresses communication gaps, system barriers, and patient vulnerabilities. These stakeholder-identified solutions highlight feasible interventions that could improve care quality and outcomes in this growing population.

FAQs

Why are care transitions a concern for older colorectal surgery patients?

Older adults are at increased risk of medication errors, postoperative complications, and exacerbation of comorbidities during transitions.

How was the study conducted and analyzed?

The study used semi-structured interviews with 42 stakeholders from 12 disciplines and applied an inductive–deductive approach to develop a codebook. Two coders refined the codebook through thematic analysis and resolved discrepancies by discussion.

What solutions did stakeholders propose to improve care transitions?

Stakeholders proposed stronger provider communication, enhanced education and support for patients and caregivers, and early discharge planning before surgery, including virtual follow-ups after discharge and connection to community resources.

Sep 28, 2026

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