Preoperation interviews: a nursing intervention to reduce patients' anxiety

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Psychology
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Patient anxiety is a common concern in the perioperative period.
• Preoperative interventions aim to mitigate anxiety and improve patient outcomes.
• The role of direct patient interaction in managing preoperative anxiety requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of preoperative interviews conducted by perioperative nurses on patients' anxiety levels.
• To compare anxiety levels between patients receiving a preoperative interview and those who do not.
• To provide evidence for the effectiveness of nursing interventions in reducing preoperative anxiety.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental design was employed with 60 participants.
• Participants were divided into two equal groups: a treatment group (preoperative interview) and a control group (no interview).
• State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaires were administered to assess anxiety levels.

Main Results:

• Analysis of covariance revealed a statistically significant reduction in anxiety for the treatment group.
• Patients interviewed by a perioperative nurse reported substantially lower anxiety scores compared to the control group.
• The findings indicate a clear benefit of preoperative interviews in managing patient anxiety.

Conclusions:

• Preoperative interviews by perioperative nurses are an effective strategy for reducing patient anxiety.
• This nursing intervention can positively impact the patient's preoperative experience.
• Integrating preoperative interviews into standard care may improve patient well-being and potentially surgical outcomes.