[The effect of preoperative information by a booklet on patients in gynaecology]

300 patients who had given their "Informed Consent" to surgery after reading the booklet "Operationen in der Frauenheilkunde" received questionnaires. 172 of 179 replies came to evaluation. The content of the booklet was judged as well-balanced by 154 patients (90%), as too short by 7 (4%), as too detailed by 11 (6%). 77 patients (45%) were calmed by the booklet, 47 (27%) were disturbed, 48 (27%) were not influenced. Not any patient took the booklet for more important than the informative talk with the doctor. Both elements of preoperative information have the same value in the opinion of 105 patients (61%), 21 (12%) gave a slight, 46 (27%) a definite preponderance to the talk with their doctor. Very little advantage from the booklet had those patients, who judged its content as too short or too detailed. 95 patients expressed their opinion concerning the reason that makes a doctor distribute the booklet to his patients previous to surgery. The results of this investigation prove an overall positive reception of the booklet "Operationen in der Frauenheilkunde" as an instrument of preoperative information.