Preparation of adolescents for outpatient surgery: using an Internet program

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Health Informatics
• Patient Education

Background:

• Tonsillectomy is a common procedure for adolescents.
• Effective preoperative preparation is crucial for reducing patient anxiety and improving outcomes.
• Traditional preparation methods may have limitations in engagement and accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of an Internet-based preoperative preparation method versus a standard method for adolescent tonsillectomy patients.
• To evaluate the impact on adolescents' state anxiety, knowledge acquisition, and postoperative pain.
• To assess satisfaction levels among both adolescent patients and their parents.

Main Methods:

• A two-group experimental design was employed.
• Adolescent patients were randomized to either an Internet-based or standard preparation group.
• Data collected included state anxiety scores, knowledge tests, pain intensity ratings, and satisfaction surveys for patients and parents.

Main Results:

• Adolescents using the Internet-based method demonstrated significantly higher knowledge acquisition.
• Both adolescents and their parents reported significantly greater satisfaction with the Internet-based preparation.
• No significant differences were found in state anxiety or postoperative pain intensity between the groups.

Conclusions:

• Internet-based preoperative preparation is an effective strategy for enhancing patient knowledge and satisfaction in adolescent tonsillectomy.
• This digital approach offers a promising alternative to standard methods, improving the overall patient and parent experience.
• Further research could explore long-term benefits and broader applicability across different surgical procedures.