AI-Assisted Education Before Surgery to Prevent Lung Complications in Older Surgical Patients

This study aims to determine whether preoperative patient education prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence can reduce lung complications after major abdominal surgery in older patients. A total of 242 patients will be randomly assigned to an education group or a usual care group. Patients in the education group will receive education from a researcher at least 24 hours before surgery, using educational materials developed with artificial intelligence and reviewed by experts. Their questions will be answered, and they will receive a printed copy of the educational material. Patients in the usual care group will receive standard nursing care. Both groups will be assessed before surgery and on postoperative days 1, 3, 7, and 30. Follow-up assessments will be conducted face-to-face during hospitalization and by telephone after discharge. The researcher assessing postoperative complications will not know which group patients have been assigned to. The occurrence of postoperative lung complications will be compared between the two groups.

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 65 years or older. * Able to read and write. * Scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery for colorectal, gastric, or pancreatic cancer. * Willing to participate and provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Undergoing reoperation due to a surgical complication. * Communication difficulties associated with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or intellectual disability. * Visual impairment. * Hearing impairment. * Unable to speak Turkish.