title: Presence of family member during upper endoscopy. What do patients and escorts think?
abstract: We evaluated what effect an escort present during upper endoscopy had on the attitude and anxiety level of patients and on the escorts. The study consisted of 206 patients (ages 15-85, 47% male) and their escorts. Both patients and escorts were interviewed before the procedure. Escorts were then randomly divided into two groups-on-the-spot escorts, who present throughout the procedure, as opposed to waiting-room escorts. Both groups were reinterviewed following the procedure. Before the procedure, 80% of the patients understood the nature of endoscopy. Thirteen percent believed the procedure to be dangerous, and only 33% were totally worry-free. Fifty percent preferred to be escorted during the procedure, while 17% refused. Following the procedure, 89% of the patients who were escorted in the endoscopy room expressed satisfaction. Fifty-two percent of the patients found the procedure to be mild, with a higher proportion among escorted patients. Among the escorts, 63% felt that their close presence had lessened their own fears and anxiety regarding the procedure, and 72% believed their presence to have been supportive to the patient. Having an escort present throughout endoscopy appears to be a promising approach.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Unit, Poriyah Hospital, Tiberias, Israel.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shapira
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tamir
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety; D001290:Attitude; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010354:Patient Escort Service / Q000523:psychology*