Effect of Preoperative Education on Patient Anxiety Level: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Context: A surgical intervention generally causes physical and psychological strain, which leads to excessive anxiety. The provision of knowledge and patient education during the preoperative period helps to reduce anxiety levels among surgical patients.
 Aim: This review conducted to investigate the effect of preoperative education on anxiety levels among patients undergoing surgery or invasive procedure irrespective of general or local anesthesia.
 Methods: Searching for related articles performed in four databases (MEDLINE, CINHALE, Trip, and Pub Med) between 2014 to 2018. Out of all searched literature, nine studies retrieved (5 randomized controlled trials, three quasi-experimental studies, and one descriptive study) to be included with a total of 1670 patients. The articles involved in the given review (verbal education, telephone, booklet, and PowerPoint presentation) used different types of educational media.
 Results: All the studies where included in this literature review revealed that the most planned and structured preoperative education could reduce anxiety among patients scheduled for surgery or invasive procedure irrespective of general or local anesthesia.
 Conclusions: Most of the articles demonstrate the positive effect of planned and structured preoperative educations on anxiety levels, regardless of the types of the media in delivering education to patients.