Table 1

Conclusions of this study

What is already known on this subject	What this study adds
Colorectal surgery confronts patients with sudden bodily changes and health uncertainties. Information can enhance recovery Preoperative education can provide information for patients to regain some control over how they can manage their own activities such as diet, self-care, energy conservation, leisure and work.	Involving colorectal surgery patients, carers and staff in jointly developing preoperative education using collaborative action research offered practice-embedded evidence. Patients wanted to enhance their recovery in order to re-engage with their key activities of daily life. Providing multimodal, comprehensive and timely information builds patients’ situated understanding and confidence to work in partnership. Preoperative education thus enables proactive involvement to support enhanced recovery from surgery.

What is already known on this subject

What this study adds

Colorectal surgery confronts patients with sudden bodily changes and health uncertainties.
Information can enhance recovery
Preoperative education can provide information for patients to regain some control over how they can manage their own activities such as diet, self-care, energy conservation, leisure and work.

Involving colorectal surgery patients, carers and staff in jointly developing preoperative education using collaborative action research offered practice-embedded evidence.
Patients wanted to enhance their recovery in order to re-engage with their key activities of daily life.
Providing multimodal, comprehensive and timely information builds patients’ situated understanding and confidence to work in partnership.
Preoperative education thus enables proactive involvement to support enhanced recovery from surgery.