Psychological preparation of patients for surgical procedures.
Techniques developed over the last 30 years for preparing patients for surgical procedures include supplying information, cognitive coping strategies, relaxation and hypnosis, reassurance and support, and rehearsal. Intending to provide a practical guide for health-care practitioners, the author reviews research on the efficacy of these methods and on comparisons between methods and makes recommendations for further studies.
D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000523:psychology*