How patients' information and expectations affect outcomes after major abdominal cancer surgery
Official title: Evaluating Health Literacy, Expectations and Regrets in Patients Undergoing Major Abdominal Surgery for Malignant Disease
Run by Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet · NCT07450950 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will see if patients' health literacy and preoperative expectations before major abdominal cancer surgery relate to their later feelings of regret and quality of recovery.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 90 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Copenhagen, Copenhagen) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | May 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | May 30, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | March 5, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07450950 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (≥18) who can read Danish and are scheduled for elective major abdominal cancer surgery at Rigshospitalet are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who cannot read Danish, who are cognitively unable to complete questionnaires, or who undergo emergency surgery are unlikely to benefit from participating.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This prospective observational cohort at Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet) will enroll adults scheduled for elective major abdominal cancer surgeries, including pancreatic, hepatic, esophageal, gastric, and major colorectal procedures. Participants complete validated questionnaires on health literacy, preoperative information and expectations at baseline, then again about one month and three months after surgery to capture postoperative experiences, decision regret, and health-related quality of life. Investigators will correlate baseline literacy and expectation measures with postoperative regret and recovery metrics to identify patterns of unmet information needs. No investigational treatments are given; the study uses questionnaire data collected during routine care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help hospitals improve how they inform and support patients so fewer people experience unexpected outcomes or decision regret after major abdominal cancer surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has linked lower health literacy and unmet expectations to worse patient-reported outcomes and decision regret in surgical populations, but this study applies those ideas specifically to major abdominal cancer operations.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients \> 18 years undergoing elective surgical treatment. * Patients who can read and understand the Danish language. Exclusion Criteria: \- Patients who are cognitively disabled and cannot mentally cooperate with the study design, as assessed by the investigator. In accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, patients have the right to withdraw from the study at any time for any reason
Where it's running
-
Rigshospitalet
Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Amalie W. H. Westergaard, Medical student
- Email: amalie.winding.hjortshoej.westergaard@regionh.dk
- Phone: +4560528807
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Oral switch for bloodstream infections in immunocompromised children
This trial tests whether switching from IV to oral antibiotics is just as safe as continuing IV therapy for children with bloodstream infections who are immunocompromised or have a central venous catheter.
-
Proton Therapy for Mediastinal Lymphoma in Denmark
This study tests whether using proton therapy for mediastinal lymphoma can lower late-toxicity risk compared with photon therapy in adults.
-
Oral switch for kids with bloodstream infections after starting IV therapy
This trial will test whether switching from IV to oral antibiotics early is not worse than continuing IV treatment for previously healthy children and teens with uncomplicated bloodstream infections.
-
Unilateral vs bilateral lung volume reduction surgery for emphysema
This trial tests whether operating on one lung or both lungs provides better breathing and quality of life for adults with severe emphysema due to COPD.
-
Scar remodeling after burn injury using stem cells from fat tissue
This trial tests whether injecting allogeneic adipose-derived stem cells into burn scars can improve scar quality for adults with hypertrophic scars.
-
Biomarkers linked to congenital CMV using newborn blood spots
Researchers will test protein and RNA markers in dried blood spots from newborns to see if they can identify congenital CMV sequelae early.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.