What people want to know before surgery - The role of sex and expectation

Preoperative anxiety significantly influences postoperative outcomes, including pain and morbidity. Providing preoperative information has been shown to alleviate this anxiety. However, it remains uncertain which specific information patients value most prior to surgery. Therefore, the study examines which information people would like to receive before surgeries with general anesthesia and whether these preferences vary among different groups of people.

A total of N = 1068 participants were asked to imagine undergoing surgery with general anesthesia and an inpatient stay. They rated their general interest in information, as well as their interest in specific questions related to the surgical process, and indicated their preferred timing and formats for information delivery. Group differences regarding sex and expectations were also examined.

Participants showed a high general interest in the provision of preoperative information (M = 6.36, Md = 7, SD = 1.05, range 1-7). The majority preferred receiving information through personal communication about 1-2 weeks before surgery. The highest interest was shown in questions regarding the expected benefits of the surgery, understanding of the disease, and opportunities for individual self-control. Regarding group differences, women demonstrated a greater interest in surgical information than men, and individuals with assumed realistic expectations showed more interest compared to those with optimistic expectations.

To effectively minimize preoperative anxiety, it is essential that patients receive the information they require prior to surgery. Ensuring that patients are well-informed prior to surgery may help improve postoperative outcomes.

Preoperative information should be communicated by surgeons approximately 1-2 weeks before the procedure. It is important to consider different subgroups, such as sex and expectations, when delivering this information.