Postoperative Environment on Pain Following Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery

Over the past decade, interest has grown in improving the patient experience. As part of this movement, studies have sought to evaluate the mechanisms by which the postoperative environment affects a patient's outcome and perception of healing. Literature review reveals efforts by both medical and design teams towards improving the experience of the patient and developing an environment that promotes healing. Changes to the physical environment have been shown to have an impact on satisfaction. These parameters have included music and art. Considering the effort that is now going into improving the patient experience and developing this theory of healing spaces, there has yet to be a randomized controlled trial evaluating these alternative therapies in the urogynecologic patient population. Although each of these modalities appears beneficial, we believe that a combination of these would be even more useful. Indeed, these treatments are also relatively easy to implement without undue cost or burden to the hospital. This study seeks to determine the influence of applying music and art to the post operative environment for patients recovering from major urogynecologic surgery on pain.