The psychological effects of having a contact-person from the anesthetic staff.
Seventy-four patients admitted for elective surgery completed identical questionnaires and rating scales pre- and postoperatively. The course of anxiety was compared between patients who were either routinely informed or had contact with an anesthetic nurse available for support during the 30-min anesthesia and surgery preparation. Comparing the results with our three other studies, it is concluded that emotional support given by a "contact-person" is more effective than either detailed information or a tranquillizer.
Department of Clinical Psychology, Hospital of Psychiatry, Aarhus, Denmark.
P
P
Elsass
H
H
Duedahl
B
B
Friis
I W
IW
Møller
M
M
Bredgaard Sørensen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires