The Effect of Spiritual Well-Being on Surgical Fear in Patients Scheduled to Have Abdominal Surgery

Abstract

Abdominal surgery and the postoperative period are very risky experiences. Individuals with fear of surgery will be under high stress and in a state of depression. In this context, the state of spiritual well-being overcoming surgical fears in patients undergoing planned abdominal surgery was examined. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the levels of the spiritual well-being of patients who are planned to have abdominal surgery on their surgical fear. The study was carried out with the participation of 150 patients at the General Surgery and Transplant clinics at a university hospital between January and May 2020. It was determined that there was a negative significant relationship between surgical fear and spiritual well-being, and the highest score for surgical fear was observed in the individuals who were 65 years old or older. The awareness of healthcare professionals about spiritual well-being should be raised, and they should provide healthcare that ensures supporting patients in spiritual and social aspects.

The Fear of Surgery and Coronavirus in Patients Who Will Undergo a Surgical Intervention

“… 31 Al Rahimi et al 32 found that during the pandemic, fear and health anxiety were more common in patients taking immunosuppressants or those with chronic diseases (Crohn's disease, cardiovascular diseases). Kapıkıran et al 33 revealed that patients' surgical fear varied according to the presence of chronic disease in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. The fact that the presence of chronic disease poses a risk to the surgical process may have caused patients with comorbidities to fear surgical procedures.…”

Does surgery cause anxiety, stress and fear in geriatric patients?

“…A study by Kapıkıran et al examined the level of fear of surgery in patients undergoing abdominal surgery and found a higher level in geriatric patients aged 65 and over. 12 By contrast, other research findings in the literature report that geriatric patients have a lower fear of surgery. 9,25 Research has reported that age and surgery-specific anxiety are positively related, 26,27 but in others studies, age and anxiety level are found to be negatively related.…”

“…A study by Kapıkıran et al . examined the level of fear of surgery in patients undergoing abdominal surgery and found a higher level in geriatric patients aged 65 and over 12 . By contrast, other research findings in the literature report that geriatric patients have a lower fear of surgery 9,25 .…”

“…To cope with this situation, it is essential that geriatric patients maintain the highest level of motivation and experience the least possible degree of fear 10 . The literature indicates that elderly patients who will undergo surgical operations have a higher average surgical fear score, with the results of one study showing that patients aged 65 and over had higher surgical fear levels than other age groups 10–12 …”

“…10 The literature indicates that elderly patients who will undergo surgical operations have a higher average surgical fear score, with the results of one study showing that patients aged 65 and over had higher surgical fear levels than other age groups. [10][11][12] Most patients experience anxiety in the preoperative period, and this is considered a normal reaction, but high anxiety levels delay wound healing, require higher doses of anaesthetic drugs, and prolong the healing process. 13 Thus, preoperative anxiety is a major problem for patients, as it causes emotional and psychological as well as physical problems.…”