Will a 1-Page Informational Handout Decrease Patients' Most Common Fears of Anesthesia and Surgery?

Preoperative anxiety about spinal surgery under general anesthesia

“…However, no other patient factors had a significant influence on the level of anxiety about spinal surgery. Our results differed from the results of previous studies reporting that younger patients [12,20], patients with a higher level of education [5,10], and patients with no previous surgical experience [1,5,20] had higher anxiety levels. This can perhaps be explained by differences in study populations.…”

“…Our study population consisted only of patients who underwent laminectomy or discectomy under general anesthesia. However, previous studies conducted surveys targeting patients who were scheduled to be submitted to a variety of elective surgeries either classified as minor, intermediate, or major according to invasiveness, blood loss, and length of hospital stay [5,10] or that were classified according to surgical subspecialty, e.g., orthopedics or gynecology [1,12,20]. These divergent results indicate that preoperative anxiety may vary depending on the specific issue and the associated surgical procedures, outcomes, and risks.…”

Evidence-based spine preoperative education

“…A literature review showed that there is a positive correlation between anxiety and postoperative pain (Durling et al, 2007). Research found there is an inverse relationship between anxiety and recovery outcomes (Fitzgerald and Elder, 2008). Research has shown that effectively educated patients will have reduced anxiety (Fitzgerald and Elder, 2008).…”

“…Research found there is an inverse relationship between anxiety and recovery outcomes (Fitzgerald and Elder, 2008). Research has shown that effectively educated patients will have reduced anxiety (Fitzgerald and Elder, 2008). Fitzgerald and Elder (2008) identified those patients that are most responsive to education and have the greatest anxiety.…”

“…Effective preoperative education increases knowledge (Jacobson et al, 2008), decreases anxiety (Fitzgerald and Elder, 2008), and reduces pain (Barksdale and Backer, 2005). It also prepares the patient for discharge (Aquilina and Baldacchino, 2007), allowing patients to prepare their homes and practice postoperative exercises .…”