Preparation of the Colon, the Cleanliness of the Colon, and Satisfaction with the Service by Outpatients Undergoing a Colonoscopy

Abstract

Preparation of the colon for cleanliness ensures the success of the colonoscopy. This research aims to study the behaviors, or essential tasks, required for the preparation and cleanliness of the colon, as well as the patient’s satisfaction with the colonoscopy. The participants consisted of 113 outpatients participating in a colorectal cancer screening project. The participants underwent preparation through a motivation-enhancing program. Data was collected using questionnaires which included instruments for preparation behavior assessments, colon cleanliness evaluations, and satisfaction surveys. The instruments’ content validity was confirmed by three qualified experts who determined they had an IOC value of 1.00. The cleanliness assessment questionnaires completed by the participants and surgeons, and the preparation behavior assessments were tested for inter-rater reliability and were fund to have Kappa values of 0.67, 1.00, and 0.80, respectively. The satisfaction questionnaire reliability assessment yeilded a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of .97. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, one-sample t-tests for analyzing preparation behavior scores with a criterion value of 80%, and chi-square tests comparing colon cleanliness as assessed by the surgeons and the participants. The research found that the participants exhibited a good level of preparation behavior, with cleanliness scores exceeding the criterion value of 80%, (t(112) = 47.34, p = .000 [one-tail]). All the participants achieved an excellent to good level of colon cleanliness. There was no statistically significant difference between the cleanliness assessments of the participants and the surgeons, ( ²(1, n = 113) = 0.002, p = .965). The participants expressed the highest level of satisfaction with their colonoscopy experiences (M = 4.94, SD = 0.16). The research results indicate positive outcomes, suggesting the proposed guidelines should be implemented for preparing outpatients for colonoscopy.