Examining the Clinical Experiences of Patients in the Preoperative Phase: A Phenomenological Study

Introduction: Understanding the clinical experiences, emotions, beliefs, and attitudes of patients before surgery is crucial for improving the quality and effectiveness of medical services, especially considering cultural, perspective, and behavioral differences. This study aims to identify the clinical experiences of patients before surgery. Material and Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted with ۲۱ patients undergoing surgery, employing purposive sampling to achieve information saturation. Data were recorded, collected, and registered through semi-structured interviews. After a meticulous examination of the interview text, codes were extracted, and content analysis using a conventional or contractual approach was applied to analyze the data. Results: From the ۲۱ preoperative interviews, ۳۸۰ codes, ۱۵ sub-categories, ۶ main categories, and an internal category were derived. The main categories identified were "internal concerns of the patient," "stress management," "concerns about the surgical process," "prior surgical experiences," "acceptance of surgery," and "doubts about hospital indicators." The primary internal category identified through data analysis was “operative anxiety.” Conclusion: While anxiety is a prevalent issue before surgery, contributing factors may vary. This study highlights concerns related to the surgical and anesthesia process, potential equipment weaknesses, and perceptions of caregiver capabilities as significant considerations.

Keywords:

Patient Experience , Surgery , Phenomenology