Anxiety Assessment Education for Preoperative Nurses

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Surgical Patient Care
• Mental Health Assessment

Background:

• Preoperative anxiety significantly impacts surgical outcomes and patient experience.
• Effective assessment of preoperative anxiety is crucial for timely intervention.
• Current knowledge gaps exist among nursing staff regarding standardized anxiety assessment tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the existing knowledge of preoperative nurses in assessing patient anxiety.
• To determine the effectiveness of a targeted educational intervention in improving these assessment skills.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study design was employed.
• Pre- and post-intervention questionnaires assessed nurses' knowledge.
• An educational presentation covered anxiety effects, manifestations, and assessment tools.

Main Results:

• A significant deficit in nurses' knowledge of anxiety assessment tools and standardization was identified.
• The educational intervention led to a demonstrable improvement in nurses' understanding and assessment practices.
• Post-intervention assessments confirmed enhanced knowledge and skills in managing preoperative anxiety.

Conclusions:

• The study underscores the need for enhanced preoperative anxiety assessment protocols.
• Targeted education is effective in bridging knowledge gaps and improving nursing practice.
• Improved anxiety management can positively influence patient surgical experiences and outcomes.