Abstract
To investigate knowledge of perioperative events, a questionnaire was administered to 111 elective surgical patients. Six topics were covered: the operation, the anaesthetic, time spent in the operating theatre, amount of post-operative pain, duration of hospital admission and time required to return to normal fitness. Apart from evaluating information-sources for each topic, the questionnaire assessed degree of knowledge and satisfaction with this information, and the relationship of these to anxiety. More than 30% of the patients responded that they had received no information about anaesthesia, time in theatre, return to fitness or pain. For each topic more than 40% desired further information. Nursing staff provided most information, although for the anaesthetic, time in theatre, return to fitness and pain, more than 60% of patients responded that nobody had provided explanation. There was no correlation between knowledge relating to the topics per se and anxiety, but there was a significant correlation between satisfaction with information and anxiety. This survey shows a considerable need for improved information provision, especially for patients in whom anxiety is associated with a desire for further explanation of operative care.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Bysshe J. E. The effect of giving information to patients before surgery. Nursing (Lond) 1988 Oct;3(30):36–39. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Clifton P. J. Expectations and experiences of anaesthesia in a District General Hospital. Anaesthesia. 1984 Mar;39(3):281–285. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1984.tb07245.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Egbert L. D., Battit GE, Turndorf H., Beecher H. K. The value of the preoperative visit by an anesthetist. A study of doctor-patient rapport. JAMA. 1963 Aug 17;185(7):553–555. doi: 10.1001/jama.1963.03060070021016. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Fell D., Derbyshire D. R., Maile C. J., Larsson I. M., Ellis R., Achola K. J., Smith G. Measurement of plasma catecholamine concentrations. An assessment of anxiety. Br J Anaesth. 1985 Aug;57(8):770–774. doi: 10.1093/bja/57.8.770. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Goldmann L., Ogg T. W., Levey A. B. Hypnosis and daycase anaesthesia. A study to reduce pre-operative anxiety and intra-operative anaesthetic requirements. Anaesthesia. 1988 Jun;43(6):466–469. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1988.tb06633.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Kapnoullas J. Nursing interventions for the relief of preoperative anxiety. Aust J Adv Nurs. 1988 Dec-Feb;5(2):8–15. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Keep P. J., Jenkins J. R. From the other end of the needle. The patient's experience of routine anaesthesia. Anaesthesia. 1978 Oct;33(9):830–832. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1978.tb08502.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Lichtor J. L., Johanson C. E., Mhoon D., Faure E. A., Hassan S. Z., Roizen M. F. Preoperative anxiety: does anxiety level the afternoon before surgery predict anxiety level just before surgery? Anesthesiology. 1987 Oct;67(4):595–599. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Lonsdale M., Hutchison G. L. Patients' desire for information about anaesthesia. Scottish and Canadian attitudes. Anaesthesia. 1991 May;46(5):410–412. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1991.tb09560.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Meeker B. J. Preoperative teaching: easing the patient's anxiety. Todays OR Nurse. 1989 Aug;11(8):14–18. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Nelmes M. Preoperative teaching helps reduce anxiety. Dimens Health Serv. 1989 May;66(4):23–25. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Simpson K. H., Stakes A. F. Effect of anxiety on gastric emptying in preoperative patients. Br J Anaesth. 1987 May;59(5):540–544. doi: 10.1093/bja/59.5.540. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Wallace L. M. Surgical patients' expectations of pain and discomfort: does accuracy of expectations minimise post-surgical pain and distress? Pain. 1985 Aug;22(4):363–373. doi: 10.1016/0304-3959(85)90042-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Yam P. C., Carli F. Maintenance of body temperature in elderly patients who have joint replacement surgery. A comparison between the heat and moisture exchanger and heated humidifier. Anaesthesia. 1990 Jul;45(7):563–565. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1990.tb14832.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]