Preoperative patient education using multiple modes may be required to increase knowledge and decrease anxiety, while patient satisfaction remains high irrespective of the mode.
Does preoperative education about anaesthesia improve patient knowledge, anxiety, and satisfaction in surgical patients?
Preoperative education about anaesthesia should be tailored using multiple modes to address misconceptions and reduce anxiety, though it may not significantly alter already high patient satisfaction levels.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes the current research on the effects of preoperative education about anaesthesia on patient knowledge, anxiety, and satisfaction. RECENT FINDINGS: Misconceptions about the process and the risks of general and regional anaesthesia are common. Information leaflets should be formally assessed to ensure that patient knowledge is increased. Patients should be surveyed to see what information they want, rather than just providing what healthcare professionals think is appropriate. The amount of information requested by patients can vary considerably. Providing detailed drug information leaflets for anaesthetic drugs was not thought necessary by many patients, but was not associated with increased preoperative state anxiety. Information sessions to small groups of patients by multidisciplinary healthcare professionals were useful for patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty, with a small reduction in preoperative state anxiety, but patient satisfaction levels remained unchanged. Patient satisfaction should be measured by a valid and reliable questionnaire. When this was done, the introduction of pamphlets did not improve patient satisfaction. The evidence for better patient outcomes after patient education interventions is not convincing. SUMMARY: Preoperative patient education should recognize that different patients have various misconceptions, expectations and needs. Multiple modes may be required to increase knowledge for informed consent and decrease patient anxiety. Patient satisfaction is generally high irrespective of the mode of patient education.
Lee et al. (2005) conducted a review in Preoperative education about anaesthesia. Preoperative education about anaesthesia was evaluated on Patient knowledge, anxiety, and satisfaction. Preoperative patient education using multiple modes may be required to increase knowledge and decrease anxiety, while patient satisfaction remains high irrespective of the mode.
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