Patient anxiety and modern elective surgery: a literature review

Mitchell, MJ

Abstract

Medical advances have led to a considerable rise in the level of elective surgery undertaken as day-case surgery and with minimal hospital stay. However, amid such advances, preoperative psychological care has remained relatively static. A considerable number of patients are very anxious prior to elective surgery and little formal care is undertaken to address this major issue. A review of the literature from 1990 to 2002 was therefore undertaken in order to assess the present level of knowledge and interventions concerning patient anxiety when undergoing modern, intermediate surgical intervention. Thirty-four studies embracing data from 3754 patients undergoing both inpatient and day-case procedures were reviewed. Three main themes emerged -causes of anxiety, clinical concerns and measurement, and anxiety management. Each theme is discussed alongside details extracted from the relevant studies. Finally, the main issues arising are summarized and future research challenges identified.

Citation

Mitchell, M. (2003). Patient anxiety and modern elective surgery: a literature review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 12(6), 806-815. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2702.2003.00812.x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2003
• Deposit Date: Aug 3, 2007
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 3, 2007
• Journal: Journal of Clinical Nursing
• Print ISSN: 0962-1067
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 12
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 806-815
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2702.2003.00812.x
• Keywords: Anaesthesia, anxiety, elective surgery, modern surgery, premedication and distraction, preoperative psychological intervention
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2702.2003.00812.x
• Related Public URLs: http://eu.wiley.com; http://www.wiley.com/bw/journal.asp?ref=0962-1067
• Additional Information: Additional Information : The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com