Managing Anxiety in the Surgical Patient

Background and Objective: Anesthesia and surgery provoke preoperative anxiety and stress. Understanding the factors that control this anxiety is very important. The present study examines these factors.Search Method: In this overview, 15 articles from Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar were reviewed, giving way to the final results in the present article.Findings: In these articles, the following results were obtained to reduce the patient s anxiety before surgery: Understanding anxiety before surgery, analyzing pre-operative risk factors and taking necessary actions, coping strategies using the Internet, performing simulation procedures for the patient, effective communication and appropriate pranks with the patient, the nurse s communication with the patient and his/her family, patient s visit to other patients who have undergone surgery, advice intervention, patient s knowledge promotion, assessment and intervention in the patient s emotional state by the nurse, use of self-care and support educational package, music therapy, aromatherapy, and massage therapy using natural oils and tranquilizers. Nonetheless, communication with the treatment team is important for reducing anxiety. Conclusion: According to the present study, the results of the research are recommended to the treatment centers for the management of preoperative anxiety

Managing Anxiety in the Surgical Patient Keywords:

Anxiety , Preoperative , Patient Care