Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this project was to evaluate the effect of preparatory information on anxi-ety and physical recovery of patients undergoing hernia, hemorrhoid, and cholecystectomy surgical operations.

Method: 180 patients in the study, scheduled for surgery were randomly allocated to experimental (n=86) and control (n=94) groups. All patients completed Spielberger State-Trait  Anxiety Ques-tionnaire in two sessions, once the day before and then again one hour before the operation.Infor- mation through education in written and oral forms was provided regarding  surgical operation and usual nursing practices only for the experimental group. Data were analyzed by statistical t-test and analysis of variance.

Findings:  This evaluation indicated that provision of information for the experimental group re-duced patients’ level of state anxiety, improved the rate of recovery process, and decreased the amount of pain and use of sedatives. Giving information reduced not only the patients’ anxiety, but also lowered physiological indications such as systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate.

Results: Information reduces anxiety, enhances predictability, and along with increase in patients' “responsibility”, it accelerated the rate of physical recovery.