Conclusions
Before undergoing surgery, patients with gallstone
disease experience major physical, psychological
and social upheaval. Gallstone disease is generally
regarded as a common disorder and is dealt with
as part of routine medical care. There is therefore
a risk that while waiting for cholecystectomy patients are
left alone, without support from the healthcare
system. Based on the results from this study, it
would seem reasonable to reduce these patients’
suffering by ensuring they have access to support
from nurses and doctors, e.g. advice regarding pain
management and nutrition, including strategies
aimed at decreasing fear of gallstone attacks. Finally,
it is important that nurses acquaint themselves with
the patients’ life situation and find out which issues
are important to them in order to mobilize both
external and internal resources so that they can live
as well as possible while waiting for cholecystectomy