Animated video consultation for reducing pre-operative anxiety in dermatologic surgery

Pre-operative anxiety is common in patients undergoing dermatologic surgery. This pilot study aimed to evaluate whether the addition of an animated educational video to conventional in-person surgery consultation helps to reduce pre-operative anxiety related to anesthesia, surgery, wound care, and post-operative pain in patients undergoing outpatient dermatologic surgery. Patients awaiting dermatologic surgery were randomized into groups with conventional consultation, or video with consultation prior to undergoing their procedure. The conventional consultation group received conventional consultation with the surgeon, whereas the video with consultation group received conventional consultation and a two-minute-long animated educational video. Intra- and inter-individual score differences were assessed based on baseline and subsequent surveys. Although not statistically significant, video with consultation group anxiety scores were lower than conventional consultation group across all categories. After crossing over, conventional consultation group patients reported statistically significant improvement in anxiety related to all areas except wound care, in which anxiety did not change significantly, although a trend toward reduced anxiety was seen. Animated educational videos during surgical consultation can reduce pre-operative anxiety related to anesthesia, surgery, and post-operative pain. Future studies should explore its benefit to clinical outcomes and overall surgical experience.